CUA Engineering Cutting-edge Research Driving Superb Education As dean of the School of Engineering at The Catholic University of America (CUA), I would like you to know that our school offers: ■ A small, private Catholic university with an emphasis on Catholic values and tradition ■ A friendly and supportive learning environment with close interaction between faculty and students ■ Small class size and individual attention ■ An award-winning faculty ■ A research-based education ■ Study abroad programs Our school offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in biomedical, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering as well as in computer science. F or more information, please visit our Website at h t t p : / / engineering.cua.edu. Dr. Charles Cuong Nguyen, Dean
R E A S O N . FA I T H . S E RV I C E .
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA
Table of Content Rules and Regulations Len Duong Organizing Committee Len Duong 2012 Introduction (English and Vietnamese) GRACE Values Introduction Camp Agenda Keynote Speaker: Master Phil Nguyen Workshop Presenter: Sandy Dang Workshop Presenter: Linda Akutagawa Workshop Presenter: Truong Duy Nong Workshop Presenter: Hung Phung Workshop Presenter: Liem Vu Workshop Presenter: Bao Ngoc Nguyen Workshop Facilitator: Anhlan Nguyen Panelist: Duy-Loan Le Panelist: Kim Yen Vu Panelist: Ky Anh Do Panelist: Chau Thi Nguyen Huu Panelist: Thien Huynh Religious Leaders: Thich Tam Hoa (Buddhist) & Rev. Hanh Van Tran (Catholic Priest) Concurrent Workshop #1: Diversity Workshop Concurrent Workshop #2: Communication with Styles Concurrent Workshop #3: Adaptive Leadership Concurrent Workshop #4: Goal Setting Concurrent Workshop #5: Career Aspirations VCSA First Place Essay Contest Winner: Tracey Le VCSA Second Place Essay Contest Winner: Nam An Dinh VCSA Third Place Essay Contest Winner: Leah Le Le Hoang Nguyen Scholarship Recipients: Jaclyn Nguyen & Frank Huynh Dr. Rick Ngo Scholarship Recipient: Julia Engio Greatland Investment CSL Properties Scholarship Recipient: Jenny Le Catherine Tran Charity Fund Scholarship Recipients: Trevor Duong & Kim Nguyen Tony Toan Nguyen Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Thao Nguyen VCSA Len Duong Logo Contest Winner: Monica Nguyen Dennis Vu Scholarship Recipient: Yvonne Luong Saigon Eggroll Scholarship Recipient: Jennifer Nguyen Mona Foundation Scholarship Announcement/Be The Change Scholarships GRACE Education Fund/Be the Change Scholarship Winners Len Duong Bonfire Passion and LDBP Scholarship Winners Five Thousand Years of Vietnamese Culture Camp Songs VCSA – Introduction (English and Vietnamese) VCSA - Toronto Chapter VAT - Vietnamese Association of Toronto Len Duong Circle 100 & Acknowledgements Team Bios Ad Page(s)
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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TABLE OF CONTENT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
Camp Rules and Regulations Camp rules are established to provide Fun and Safe environment for all campers. Consequences for infraction of rules will be from a friendly reminder of camp rules to expulsion from the camp. If expelled from the camp, you are responsible for your own expense getting back to your home. 1. Participate in all activities set by the Camp 1. Tham gia mọi sinh hoạt của Trại. Không Committee. No personal activities except được sinh hoạt riêng ngoại trừ trong giờ during personal free time. giải lao.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
2. Tôn trọng lẫn nhau và tài sản của người 2. Respect other campers and their property. khác. Không ẩu đả hoặc dùng ngôn ngữ No profanity or fighting is allowed. khiếm nhã. 3. Clean up after yourself in cabin, camp area and dining area. No food is allowed inside cabin at anytime.
3. Giữ gìn vệ sinh chung toàn trại và thực hiện công tác dọn dẹp cabin mỗi ngày. Không mang đồ ăn vào trong cabin.
4. Stay off restricted areas. Only park your vehicle in the designated area.
4. Chỉ sinh hoạt trong các khu vực được cho phép. Chỉ đậu xe trong khu vực quy định.
5. Always wear your name tag and appropriate clothing during programs and activities at the camp. Do not leave the camp or change cabin without Camp Committee’s permission.
5. Luôn luôn đeo bảng tên và trang phục thích hợp với các sinh hoạt của trại. Không được rời trại hoặc đổi cabin khi chưa có phép.
6. Thông báo với Ban Quản Trại mọi hành 6. DO inform Camp Committee of any sus- động khả nghi có thể ảnh hưởng đến sự picious activities that violate the camp rules an toàn của trại sinh hoặc vi phạm nội quy and campers’ safety. No illegal activities, trại. Không được có những hành động bất nor any weapons, pets, drugs, alcohol is al- hợp pháp hoặc mang vũ khí, thú vật, ma lowed. Smoking is only at designated area, tuý, rượu bia hoặc các thứ bất hợp pháp if allowed by the Camp. vào trại. Chỉ được hút thuốc tại chỗ quy định, nếu được phép của trại.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
CAMP COORDINATOR – Phạm Mai Quyên ASSISTANT CAMP COORDINATORS – Nguyễn Quỳnh Anh PROGRAM MANAGERS – Ngô Quang Định, Nguyễn-Lê Christine, Nguyễn Quỳnh Anh PROGRAM TEAM – Vũ Đức Liêm, Phạm Mai Quyên, Ngô Quang Định, Huỳnh Thân Như Quỳnh, Nguyễn Phúc Anh Lan, Nguyễn Quỳnh Anh , Nguyễn-Lê Christine, Diệp Đăng Duy Jaime, Ngô Nathaniel, Trần Jack FUNDRAISING TEAM – Lê Phương Mai Katherine, Nguyễn Phúc Anh Lan, Phạm Mai Quyên, Huỳnh Thân Như Quỳnh, Lê Quang Phiêu, Nguyễn Nhã Hòa, Vũ Dennis, Lương Lệ Hoa MARKETING TEAM – Vũ Dennis, Lê Quang Phiêu, Diệp Đăng Duy Jaime, Trương Crystal, Huỳnh Thân Như Quỳnh REGISTRATION TEAM – Nguyễn Nhã Hòa, Nguyễn Bảo Ngân, Lê Phương Mai Katherine, Nguyễn Gia Hội, Trương Huỳnh Duy Anh, Phạm Kevin, Lưu Minh FINANCE TEAM – Phạm Huy Hợp, Lê Phương Mai Katherine, Nguyễn Nhã Hòa WORKSHOP AND SPEAKERS COORDINATOR – Ngô Nathaniel, Nguyễn Jimmy, Trần Marilyn, Phạm Darren PUBLISHING – Đào Christopher, Nguyễn P. Anh Lan, Nông Duy Trường, Phạm Mai Quyên, Nguyễn Quỳnh Anh FOOD TEAM – Lê Kevin, Nguyễn Văn Bút, Lê Valerie, Yoo Annie, Lưu Minh, Yang George, Trần Nguyễn Kim Thanh, Vũ Wendy, Nguyễn Julian, Lê Phương Mai Katherine JUDGING AND EVALUATION – Trần Ngọc Trâm Michelle, Nguyễn Phúc Anh Lan, Vũ Kim Yến TRANSPORTATION TEAM – Vũ Trọng Bảo, Nguyễn Nhất, Yoo Annie, Yang George, Nguyễn Khang LOGISTICS TEAM – Nguyễn Paul, Trần Marilyn, Lê Valerie, Nguyễn Khang, Phạm Minh Thọ TECHNICAL TEAM – Lê Quang Phiêu, Phùng Đức Hưng, Lê Minh Thịnh, Nguyễn Hữu Duy Khang, Nguyễn Hữu Bảo Khang, Phạm Kevin SECURITY AND SAFETY – Nguyễn Susan, Nguyễn Nhất, Phạm-Ngô Quỳnh, Phan Anh Thu, Phạm Darren, Nguyễn Jimmy, Nguyễn Khang, Lê Stephen GAMES AND ENTERTAINMENT – Diệp Đăng Duy Jaime, Trần Uyên Vy, Võ Vũ Linh Rojelio, Phạm Minh Thọ, Phạm David, Trương Huỳnh Duy Anh, Trần Quốc Tuấn, Trương Crystal COUNSELORS – Nguyễn Cẩm Vân (Lead), Lưu Quân (Assistant), Huỳnh Thân Như Quỳnh, Hoàng Bảo Hương, Lê Tiến, Phạm Kim, Phạm Viên, Nguyễn Linh, Vũ Đức Liêm, Nguyễn Lacey, Vũ Dennis, Trần John, Phạm Huy, Lương Lệ Hoa MEDICAL TEAM – Trịnh Quang, Trần Marilyn VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY – Nguyễn Tengah, Lê Hoàng Nguyên, Nguyễn Lisa
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
ORGANIZAING COMMITTEE
Lên Đường Camp 2013 Staff – Ban Quản Trại
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Len Duong Camp 2013 Introduction It Starts with ONE - Passion, Action, Impact! Vietnamese Culture and Science Association would like to welcome all campers from 20 different US states and Canadian provinces to camp Len Duong 2013 in Puslinch, Ontario, Canada. This year marked the 16th anniversary of this youth leadership development program. Sixteen years ago, it started with the idea that Vietnamese young adults from across America would get together to learn about leadership skills and cultural awareness, to develop future leaders of the Viet communities overseas and to create lasting friendships. We took the time to conceive the idea, to create repeatable processes of building the camp and put our heads together to create the plan to implement the camp. With great passion shared by board members of VCSA and the original leadership team, camp Len Duong truly created the actions needed to create incredible impacts among Vietnamese youths across North American in the past 15 years.
INTRODUCTION
In the past 15 years, the camp was held in different cities, hosted by different chapters of VCSA. Speakers, authors, leaders and campers from all different walks of life came to Len Duong camp and helped created a wonderful lifetime memory. Looking back, Camp Len Duong has achieved with great success its goal of training more than 3,500 young community activists to be more involved in the local communities and more than 300 young leaders for the local community organizations in North America. The team has continued to engage in activities that help to create impacts year after year. Campers were inspired to become leaders. They created long lasting impacts in several different local cities across United States and Canada. Their stories have been the testimonial of the success of the camp in the past 15 years. In reflection of the camps delivered in the past 15 years, we would like to capture the CORE values that camp Len Duong help instill in each camper and staff to make the camp a wonderful experience: G.R.A.C.E. Gratitude - Respect - Accountability Courage - Engagement. In the next four days, we would like to invite you to embark on this wonderful journey to discover your dream, reflect on your passions and what action plans you need to have in order to realize your dream. Have the belief in yourself and your team to achieve the goals and then have the courage to take actions toward that goal to achieve your dream. Equipped with G.R.A.C.E, campers are encouraged to interact with each other, appreciate each other’s uniqueness and have the courage to get out of one’s comfort zone to collaborate with other team members to achieve the team’s goals in every different activities.
Let’s Embark on this great journey...(LEN DUONG!)
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Trại Phát Triển Kỹ Năng Lãnh Đạo Thanh Niên 2013
Nhu cầu khẩn thiết này đã đuợc rất nhiều các hội đoàn thanh niên, sinh viên, tôn giáo và chuyên viên đáp ứng, nhưng hầu hết đều có tính cách địa phương. Hội Văn Hóa Khoa Học Việt Nam đã mạnh dạn đứng ra làm một nhịp cầu nối kết các bạn trẻ đang tích cực sinh hoạt khắp nơi tại Hoa Kỳ và Gia Nã Đại trong một môi truờng chung để các bạn có cơ hội cùng chia sẻ và học hỏi các kinh nghiệm về sinh hoạt cộng đồng, cùng học hỏi và thực tập các kỹ năng lãnh đạo, và nhất là để thấy đuợc những nét hay, nét đẹp của văn hóa, lịch sử và địa lý Việt Nam. Sự gặp gỡ và sinh hoạt chung với nhau chắc chắn sẽ mang đến kết quả tốt đẹp trong việc tạo sự thông cảm giữa các cá nhân với cá nhân, giữa hội đoàn với hội đoàn: điều kiện tất yếu để mọi nguời có thể hợp tác trong các dự án tuong lai hầu phục vụ cộng đồng và đất nuớc.
INTRODUCTION
Trại Phát Triển Kỹ Năng Lãnh Đạo “Lên Đuờng’ 13” hân hoan đón chào các bạn về tham dự trại hè đuợc tổ chức tại đất trại Camp Crieff Hills, thuộc tỉnh Puslinch, tỉnh bang Ontario, Gia Nã Đại. Năm nay là năm kỷ niệm lần thứ mười sáu của Trại Lên Đuờng. Bắt đầu từ những suy nghĩ chủ quan của Ban Tổ Chức, trại Lên Đuờng đuợc hình thành nhằm đáp ứng nhu cầu sinh hoạt và học hỏi về nguồn của thanh niên gốc Việt tại hải ngoại. Trại Lên Đuờng ’98 đuợc tổ chức chỉ có tính cách thử nghiệm; nhưng như một nguời bạn trẻ tham dự trại này đã viết: “If you build it, they will come. ”Sự hiện diện của các bạn tại trại Lên Đuờng năm thứ mười sáu và sự kiện trại đã được mang từ Hoa Kỳ sang Gia Nã Đại là một bằng chứng hùng hồn là nhu cầu sinh hoạt và học tập của giới trẻ gốc Việt Nam đúng là một nhu cầu khẩn thiết.
Trại Lên Đuờng là trại phát triển kỹ năng lãnh đạo dành riêng cho các bạn trẻ đang sinh hoạt tích cực trong các hội đoàn, ưu tiên đối với các bạn đang giữ các chức vụ điều hành các hội Sinh Viên gốc Việt Nam tại các truờng đại học. Khởi đầu từ trại Lên Đuờng 1998 với con số 180 trại sinh, Lên Đuờng 1999 đa đạt đuợc quy mô toàn quốc với tổng số 312 trại sinh đến từ hầu hết các tiểu bang Hoa Kỳ và Gia Nã Đại. Trong suốt 16 năm qua, trại Lên Đường đã giúp cho hơn 3,500 thanh niên nam nữ gốc Việt đào luyện về kỹ năng lãnh đạo, học hỏi về văn hóa, lịch sử và địa lý Việt Nam, và qua chương trình này trại Lên Đường đã đào tạo hơn 300 nhà lãnh đạo trẻ cho các cộng đồng, tổ chức, và hội đoàn ở khắp nơi trên toàn nước Mỹ và Gia Nã Đại. Con số này ngày càng lớn mạnh và chứng tỏ sự trưởng thành của giới trẻ Việt Nam ở hải ngoại. Với tinh thần dấn thân, phục vụ và niềm tin vào sự phát triển và hợp tác trong cộng đồng cùng huớng về tương lai, Lên Đuờng 2013 uớc mong sẽ cung cấp thêm đuợc cho các trại sinh một số kiến thức và kỹ năng cần thiết trên buớc đuờng hoạt động tuong lai. Nào mời các bạn cùng...
LÊN ĐƯỜNG!
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP G.R.A.C.E (Gratitude - Respect - Accountability - Courage - Engagement) Before we embark on our journey, camp Len Duong would like to feature the five core values that we encourage all staff, guests and campers to demonstrate throughout all the programs and activities delivered during the four days at camp. We also encourage all campers to take these core values home and create a leadership action plan to implement these values in your daily lives. These core values will help shaping you to become a successful leader in all of your future endeavors.
G.R.A.C.E.
Gratitude –A deep appreciation of life in all forms, valuing both its gifts and lessons. We are living in such a busy environment that sometimes it is easy to forget the blessings that all of us have in our daily life. The blessing of the gift of life; the blessing of enjoying the sun shine or the four seasons of the year; the blessing of having a loving family, a great friendship and all the positive things currently happening around us. The world usually focuses too much on the negative thoughts and worries that sometimes we forget all the blessings around us. We need to take time to appreciate what we currently have and be grateful for all the things that other people do for us through their service. Gratitude helps us to be humble and to appreciate others and keep us in perspective. A Vietnamese proverb said “Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây” (When eating fruit, remember who planted the tree). Make a commitment every day that you have to identify at least 3 things happening on that day for which that you are thankful. Create a habit of gratitude and appreciation will change your life in a positive way. It is the foundation for finding joy in our human condition. Respect - The practice of awareness and openness to others, new ideas and different perspectives. In a team setting, it is important for each team member to feel that he or she is being heard. Respect other’s viewpoint and perspective in order to help you improve your listening skills. Create a collaborative environment where your team can solve the problems effectively. Respect yourself by doing the right things and doing things that you feel right about. Respect others by following the Golden Rule that “Do unto others as you would have do unto you.” Respect not only other people but also the environment. Respect the environment by minimizing the negative impacts of creating waste. Respect the diversity of our campers and on occasions agree to disagree on different viewpoints. At Camp Len Duong, respect is strongly encouraged since it is the basis for peace and understanding.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
Courage - This is a critical value of a leader to be the change agent and create something from nothing. Life is a series of events and experiences that one goes through and continues to grow from. In order to grow and to change for the better, one may need to have the courage to take risks to take actions, going out of one’s own comfort zone and face the unknowns. Without the courage to face the unknowns at sea, the Vietnamese refugees would not be able to achieve freedom in the New World. In some difficult situations, a leader should have the courage to take actions and to create the necessary changes to improve the situations. Camp Len Duong this year is delivered at the camp site named “Courage”. Learn to practice courage in your daily life and make it a way of life. Courage allows us to grow and realize our true potential and dreams.
G.R.A.C.E.
Accountability – Taking responsibility for our actions, thoughts and emotions. As a human being, each of us enters this world and is shaped in a certain way (of life) through our family, our environment, our culture and background. However, as a leader to oneself, one must be accountable for one’s own life by setting one’s own goals, purpose and to make it a reality. Self leadership is the foundation that leads to higher level of leadership. Leadership starts with the person in each of us. A leader should be accountable not just for his/her own actions, but also for our unexpected events and things occurring in his/her life. Although sometimes we cannot change our circumstances, we should be accountable for what kinds of responses or choices we made upon these circumstances. “Life begins when you do!” Be accountable for your own actions to make things happen toward achieving your goal. At Camp Len Duong you will be an integral part of your team and each team member is expected to be accountable for all the tasks assigned for him or her and ensure that things happen toward achieving the team’s goals. Remember, you are THE CHOICE you make.
Engagement – The intention to wholeheartedly contribute our gifts and skills in a way that benefits our communities and environment. We live in a world in which everyone is inter-connected through different communities and each of us is given unique gifts and talents that can be used to serve others. By caring for others, caring to make a difference in other people’s life, each camper is encouraged to practice volunteerism, activism and civic engagement to bring about positive changes in the world around us. As in Camp Len Duong last year when we encourage the camper to “Be the Change!” – this year the theme is re-iterated with the GRACE values. Engagement is one of the core value that each camper is encouraged to practice. If each of us makes a sincere effort to practice these above 5 core values and support each other in this practice, we will all become happier with our life, enjoy a more caring and peaceful world and leave a more sustainable environment to our children. Through the four days of Camp Len Duong, we encourage all campers to reflect on the five core values, make a commitment to “Be the Change” and start practicing these values in your daily life. We look forward to hearing great stories and great plans on how you can help to spread the word about the power of practicing your values and helping to create positive changes in your communities.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
LEN DUONG CAMP 2013 IT STARTS WITH ONE: PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT Friday, June 28, 2013
CAMP AGENDA
TIME 09:00am – 04:00pm
EVENT Pre-Camp Set-Up
LOCATION All
04:00pm – 05:45pm
ALL Staff Briefing
St. Luke’s
06:00pm – 11:00pm
Camper Registration
Upper Conference Hall
06:30pm – 08:00pm
Dinner
Maclean Hall
08:00pm – 08:30pm
Introductory Activities:Ice Breaking Circle Games
The Main Tent
08:30pm – 09:00pm
Camper Welcome & Security Briefing
The Main Tent
09:00pm – 09:45pm
GRACE Presentation (Ms. Anhlan Nguyen & Ms. Kim Yen Vu)
The Main Tent
09:45pm – 11:45pm
Blindfolded Team Search Activity
The Main Tent/Field
11:45pm – 12:00am
Camper Settle into Cabins
Cabins
11:45pm – 12:30am
Camp Staff Meeting
Lower Conference Hall
12:00am – 06:00am
LIGHTS OUT
All
Saturday, June 29, 2013
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06:00am – 07:00am
Rise and Shine (Morning Exercise)
Main Camp Ground
07:00am – 08:00am
Breakfast
Maclean Hall
08:00am – 09:00am
Team Orientation, Team Leader Team Homebase Election, Team Cheer
09:00am – 09:45am
Camp Opening Ceremony The Main Field -Flag Ceremony -Opening Remarks -Introduce Guests and Staff -Acknowledgement of Sponsors -Group Picture
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP 09:55am – 10:00am
Camp Theme Kick-Off Video
The Main Tent
10:00am – 10:45am
Keynote Address: Master Phil Nguyen
The Main Tent
10:45am – 11:00am
Board Breaking Demo
The Main Tent
11:00am – 12:00pm
Small Games: Tug-of-War
The Main Field
12:00pm – 01:00pm
Lunch
Maclean Hall/Picnic Area
01:00pm – 01:30pm
FREE TIME
01:30pm – 03:20pm
Concurrent Workshops 1. Diversity Training Presenters: Liem Vu & Hung Phung
St. Luke’s
2. Communication with Styles Presenter: Linda Akutagawa
Upper Conference Hall
3. Adaptive Leadership Presenter: Sandy Dang
Lower Conference Hall
4. Goal Setting Presenter: Truong Duy Nong
Maclean Hall
5. Career Aspirations Panelists: Duy-Loan Le, Thi Nguyen-Huu, Kim Yen Vu, Ky Anh Do, Tien Huynh
The Main Tent
03:30pm – 04:00pm
Team Reflections and Debrief
Team Homebase
04:00pm – 05:00pm
Small Games
The Main Field
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
CAMP AGENDA
Saturday, June 29, 2013
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Saturday, June 29, 2013
CAMP AGENDA 10
05:00pm – 05:30pm
FREE TIME
05:30pm – 08:30pm
Concurrent Team Projects/Dinner Maclean Hall
05:30pm – 06:30pm
Dinner Group 1
Maclean Hall
06:30pm – 07:30pm
Dinner Group 2
Maclean Hall
07:00pm – 07:30pm
All Counselors Meeting
Upper Conference Hall
07:30pm – 08:30pm
All Staff Meeting
Upper Conference Hall
08:30pm – 10:00pm
Team Project Presentations
The Main Tent
10:00pm – 10:45pm
Bonfire
The Main Field
10:45pm – 11:15pm
Midnight Snack & Evaluations
Lower Conference Hall
11:15pm – 12:30am
Talent Show
The Main Tent
12:30am – 07:30am
LIGHTS OUT
All
Sunday, June 30, 2013 07:30am – 08:30am
Religious Services -Buddhist: Thich Tam Hoa -Catholic:
St. Luke’s Upper Conference Room
08:00am – 09:15am
Breakfast
Maclean Hall
09:15am – 09:45am
Team Briefing, Team Leader Election, Team Skits Introductions
Team Homebase
09:45am – 11:15am
Concurrent Cultural Workshops 1. Vietnamese Speaking Session Presenters: Mr. Bao Nguyen, Ms. Duy Loan Le
St. Luke’s
2. English Speaking Session Presenter: Ms. Anhlan Nguyen
Upper Conference Hall
11:15am – 12:00pm
Wheel of Knowledge Game
The Main Tent
12:00pm – 01:00pm
Lunch
Maclean Hall/Picnic Area
01:00pm – 01:30pm
Team Preparations for Big Game
Team Homebase
01:30pm – 05:30pm
THE BIG GAME
All
05:30pm – 06:30pm
FREE TIME
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP 06:30pm – 09:00pm
Concurrent Team Skit/Dinner
06:30pm – 07:30pm
Dinner Group 1
Maclean Hall
07:30pm – 08:30pm
Dinner Group 2
Maclean Hall
07:30pm – 08:00pm
All Counselors Meeting
Upper Conference Hall
08:00pm – 09:00pm
All Staff Meeting
Upper Conference Hall
09:00pm – 10:00pm
Team Skits
The Main Tent
10:00pm – 11:10pm
Youth Forums 1. My Community 2. Challenges in the Work Place 3. Generational Gaps / Cultural Identity 4. Vietnamese Cultural Preservation 5. Civic Engagement
St. Luke’s The Pines Upper Conference Hall St. Matthew’s
11:15pm – 12:00am
Evaluations and Midnight Snack
The Main Tent
12:00am – 01:00am
Bonfire
The Main Field
01:00am – 08:00am
LIGHTS OUT
All
Monday, July 1, 2013 08:00am – 08:45am
Breakfast
Maclean Hall
08:45am – 09:45am
Clean Up Competition Cabin Competition
All
09:45am – 10:15am
Team Reflections and Debrief
Team Homebase
10:15am – 11:00am
Final Evaluations; Group Sharing
The Main Tent
11:00pm – 12:00pm
Closing Ceremony - Be the Change Review - Winning Team Announcements - Scholarship Presentations - Closing Remarks
The Main Tent
12:00pm – 01:00pm
Lunch
The Main Tent
01:00pm – 02:00pm
Final Clean Up and Farewell
All
02:00pm
Len Duong 2013 Ends
Exit Camp
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
CAMP AGENDA
St. Mark’s
11
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: MASTER PHIL NGUYEN
CO-OWNER AND HEAD INSTRUCTOR OF BLACK BELT EXCELLENCE MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY
Master Phil Nguyen’s life is a saga. Master Phil Nguyen was 13 years old when he was first bullied, because of the color of his skin and the different shape of his eyes. In his twenties, he was kicked out of his university engineering co-op program due to failing multiple courses. In his thirties, he was working for one of the largest telecom companies in the world when the technology bubble burst, and he was laid off, forcing him to live pay cheque to pay cheque, until he was on the brink of welfare.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 12
• • • • • •
Now, Master Phil is in his forties and has since achieved: • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and Management from the University of Ottawa • Certified Master Trainer • Certified Professional Facilitator • Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) • Voted One of Ottawa’s “Top Forty Under 40” for demonstrating outstanding leadership, entrepreneurial excellence, and community building Voted “Citizen of the Year” for contributions to his community Recipient of “Mayor’s City-Builder Award” for contributions to his city Awarded Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for contributions to his country Recipient of Award of Excellence by Senator Thanh Hai Ngo, for his support of the Vietnamese Boat People Museum fundraising Co-creator of the award-winning Bully Busters program 7th Degree Black Belt in Taekwon-Do
He is happily married to a samurai lady, Amelia Nguyen, and is proud father of two young ninjas, Justice and Jackson. He continues to run his award-winning Black Belt Excellence Martial Arts Academy for 25+ years now, while living the life of his dreams as a speaker, an author, and a martial arts messenger. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cuộc đời của Võ sư Phil Nguyen quả là một câu chuyện dài về sự phấn đấu để thành công. Năm 13 tuổi Võ sư Phil bị bạn học bắt nạt vì màu da và hình dạng của cặp mắt người Á châu. Năm 20 tuổi bị đuổi khỏi chương trình co-op trường kỹ sư vì thi rớt nhiều lớp. Năm 30 tuổi làm việc cho một trong những công ty viễn liên lớn nhất thế giới cho đến khi công ty bị sập tiệm vì “quả bóng kỹ thuật” bị vỡ. Trong thời gian này Võ sư Phil sống rất vất vả vì thất nghiệp đến nỗi sắp phải xin trợ cấp xã hội. Nay trong độ tuổi 40, Võ sư Phil đã đạt được những thành tích sau đây: về phương diện học vấn: Cử nhân về Kỹ sư và Quản trị tại Đại học Ottawa; về phương diện nghề nghiệp: Certified Master Trainer, Certified Professional Facilitator, Distinguished Toastmaster; về lãnh vực lãnh đạo và sinh hoạt cộng đồng: được bầu là một trong “Bốn mươi người dưới 40 tuổi” xuất sắc về lãnh đạo, kinh doanh, và sinh hoạt cộng đồng, được bầu là “Công dân điển hình trong năm” về sinh hoạt cộng đồng, giải thưởng “Xây dựng thành phố của Thị trưởng,” Huy chương Diamond Jubilee của Nữ Hoàng Anh, Giải thưởng Xuất sắc của Nghị sĩ Liên bang Ngô Thanh Hải cho thành tích yểm trợ quỹ xây dựng Bảo tàng Thuyền nhân; về phương diện giáo dục và võ thuật: đồngsáng lập chương trình Chống Bắt nạt trong học đường, và Đệ thất đẳng huyền đai Thái Cực Đạo. Người bạn đường của Võ sư Phil, Amelia Nguyễn, cũng là một nữ võ sĩ đạo. Hai người có hai con trai cũng được huấn luyện võ thuật từ bé là Justice và Jackson. Võ sư Phil đã sáng lập và điều hành Black Belt Excellence Martial Arts Academy hơn 25 năm qua và tiếp tục thể hiện ước mơ cuộc đời của mình qua vai trò diễn giả, tác giả và sứ giả của võ thuật.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
WORKSHOP PRESENTER: SANDY HOA DANG Born in Hanoi, Sandy left Vietnam when she was ten years old. After living in rural China and Hong Kong refugee camps, Sandy resettled in the United States at the age of thirteen. Because of her personal experience, Sandy has devoted her life to helping children and families. For more than a decade, she served as Founder and Executive Director of Asian American Leadership, Empowerment, and Development (AALEAD), an organization that supports immigrant and refugee families through a broad array of educational and social services. On transitioning from AALEAD, she received a fellowship to attend the Masters of Public Administration (MPA) program at the Harvard Kennedy School. Since graduating in 2010, she has been working as an organizational development consultant at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services in Maryland. In 2011, Sandy was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Education Foundation. She also serves on the board of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, the Community Advisory Board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Community Advisory Council for WETA Television. In addition to her MPA, Sandy holds a BA from Duke University and a Masters in Social Work from Catholic University of America. She is fluent in Cantonese and Vietnamese. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sinh ra tại Hà Nội, Sandy cùng gia đình đi tị nạn khi cô mới 10 tuổi. Sau khi sống tại những trại tị nạn tại miền quê Trung Hoa và tại Hong Kong trong ba năm, Sandy đến định cư tại Hoa Kỳ. Qua những kinh nghiệm bản thân này, Sandy đã dành hết cả tâm trí và cuộc đời vào việc giúp đỡ trẻ em và những gia đình kém may mắn. Trong hơn 10 năm, Sandy đã phục vụ trong cương vị Sáng lập viên và Giám đốc Điều hành của Tổ chức Phát triển Lãnh đạo và Thụ quyền cho Người Mỹ gốc Á (AALEAD), một tổ chức trợ giúp những gia đình tị nạn hoặc di dân qua những chương trình giáo dục và dịch vụ xã hội. Sau khi rời khỏi cương vị này, Sandy được học bổng theo học chương trình Cao học Hành chánh (MPA) tại Đại học Harvard. Sau khi tốt nghiệp MPA vào năm 2010, Sandy làm việc tư vấn về phát triển tổ chức cho Bộ Y tế và Dịch vụ Xã hội của Quận Montgomery, tiểu bang Maryland. Năm 2011, Sandy được Tổng thống Obama bổ nhiệm trở thành ủy viên Hội đồng Quản trị của Quỹ Giáo dục Việt Nam (VEF). Sandy cũng là thành viên Hội đồng Quản trị của Tổ chức Liên hội Phát triển Cộng đồng người Mỹ gốc châu Á-Thái bình dương, thành viên Ban Cố vấn của Trung tâm Nghệ thuật Trình diễn Kennedy và của đài truyền hình WETA. Ngoài văn bằng Cao học Hành chánh, Sandy tốt nghiệp Cử nhân tại Đại học Duke và Cao học về Công tác và Dịch vụ Xã hội tại Đại học Catholic. Ngoài tiếng mẹ đẻ, Sandy còn nói thông thạo tiếng Quảng Đông (Trung Hoa) và Anh Ngữ.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
WORKSHOP PRESENTER
CO-FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL OF 11PLUS
13
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
WORKSHOP PRESENTER: MS. LINDA AKUTAGAWA
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF LEADERSHIP EDUCATION FOR ASIAN PACIFICS, INC. Linda Akutagawa was elected to be the President and Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP) since 2011. Before assuming the leadership role of LEAP, Linda is responsible for LEAP’s fundraising and business development and oversees LEAP’s program design, development and delivery. Linda is a member of LEAP’s Executive Management Team and co-manages the operations of the organization. As the chief fundraiser for the organization, she is develops and executes strategies focused on increasing earned and contributed income. In this role, she builds interest among clients and donors to support and participate in LEAP’s leadership programs. Linda bridges her development and program design and delivery roles through her consulting with LEAP’s diverse range of corporate, community, and government clients. She works with clients locally, nationally and globally to determine the best programs and services to support their Asian talent development needs and brings together the resources needed to deliver a solution. She also works with LEAP’s consultants to co-design and customize new and existing programs. Linda is certified to facilitate LEAP’s Leadership Development Program as well as deliver several of LEAP’s foundational courses including the 21st Century Leadership, Understanding Your Cultural Values, and Effective Work & Communication Styles. Previously, Ms. Akutagawa was the Vice President of Resource & Business Development for LEAP, developing and implementing its fundraising, marketing & sales strategy for its programs and services.
WORKSHOP PRESENTER
A beneficiary of LEAP’s leadership training, Ms. Akutagawa’s first began as a volunteer for LEAP. Now in her 18th year at LEAP, she speaks and presents globally on topics such as leadership, Asian cultural values and influences, employee resource groups, diversity, networking and branding to a range of audiences such as corporations, student groups and community and professional organizations. She is a member of the Board Directors of the Asian Women Leadership Network and a Board member of Japanese American Community Services (JACS), a community grantmaking organization. Prior to joining LEAP, Linda was the Marketing Manager for Japan and Orient Tours, a tour operator specializing in Asia and the Pacific. Linda received her B.S. in International Business with a minor in Economics from California State University at Los Angeles. Linda is married and is an auntie to 6 nieces & nephews ranging from 1-21-years old. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Linda Akutagawa là Chủ Tịch & Tổng Giám Đốc của công ty Huấn luyện Kỹ năng Lãnh đạo cho các Sắc dân Châu Á Thái Bình Dương (LEAP). Bà đặc trách về gây quỹ và phát triển thương vụ cũng như giám sát công tác soạn thảo chương trình huấn luyện và giảng dạy. Là một thành viên của Ban Điều hành và là đồng-quản lý chương trình hoạt động của LEAP, Linda soạn thảo các chiến lược gây quỹ và các chương trình huấn luyện kỹ năng lãnh đạo cho các công ty lớn nhằm tăng gia thu nhập cho LEAP. Ngoài ra, Linda còn là giảng viên chính của các chương trình huấn luyện cho những thân chủ từ công ty tư nhân, tổ chức thiện nguyện cộng đồng, và cho cả nhân viên chính quyền từ cấp địa phương, tiểu bang, đến liên bang. Linda khởi đầu là một thiện nguyện viên và được LEAP đào tạo những kỹ năng về lãnh đạo. Sau đó Linda trở thành cộng tác viên và giữ vai trò lãnh đạo trong suốt 18 năm qua. Linda đã từng soạn thảo và huấn luyện về các đề tài như kỹ năng lãnh đạo, giá trị và ảnh hưởng của văn hóa Á châu, phát triển tiềm năng của nhân viên, các vấn đề đa văn hóa, và những kỹ năng về giao tế và tạo dựng thương hiệu. Ngoài ra Linda còn là thành viên Hội đồng quản trị (HĐQT) Tổ chức Liên hiệp những Phụ nữ Á châu giữ vị trí Lãnh đạo và thành viên HĐQT của Tổ chức Cộng đồng Người Nhật gốc Mỹ (JACS), một tổ chức cộng đồng có khả năng tài trợ. Trước khi về với LEAP, Linda là Giám đốc Tiếp thị của Công ty Du lịch Nhật Bản và Đông Phương. Linda có bằng cử nhân về Thương mại quốc tế và phụ khoa về Kinh tế của Đai học Cal State tại Los Angeles. Linda có gia đình và là dì của 6 cháu trai và gái, từ 1 tới 21 tuổi.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
WORKSHOP PRESENTER: DR. TRUONG DUY NONG PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTE FOR CIVIC EDUCATION IN VIETNAM (ICEVN)
In 1990, he was one of the founders of the Vietnamese American Youth Organization (VAYO) in Houston, TX. Currently, he serves as Advisory Board Member of the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association (VCSA), a Vietnamese American organization based in Houston, Texas. In this capacity, he has designed and delivered a number of workshops in leadership development for VCSA’s annual youth leadership camps (Len Duong Camp) for the past ten years, as well as designed and taught Vietnamese history and literature courses for the past twelve years. He also served on the first Advisory Board of Sunflower Mission, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in Vietnam through educational assistance programs. In 2005, he left his teaching position at Michael DeBakey High School to pursue his dream: to establish the Institute for Civic Education in Vietnam (www.icevn.org), a non-profit organization. ICEVN’s mission is to promote social responsibilities and transparency in Vietnam by providing civic education, entrepreneurship education, and managerial leadership development in Vietnam. ICEVN provides on-line educational classes on civic education, business management and leadership development, and aims to build an on-line library of approximately 100 translated books in humanity and social sciences to share the knowledge to the people in Vietnam. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ông Nông Duy Trường vừa là một nhà giáo dục và là một người hoạt động cộng đồng tích cực với hơn 20 năm kinh nghiệm và cũng là một nhà huấn luyện về kỹ năng lãnh đạo cho trại Lên Đường trong nhiều năm qua. Với kinh nghiệm hơn 14 năm giảng dạy tại trường trung học Michael DeBakey High School for Health Professions, ông hiểu rõ tầm quan trọng và ảnh hưởng của giáo dục đến giới trẻ. Ông tốt nghiệp Cử Nhân Toán trường đại học Houston năm 1988 và Cao Học về Khoa Học Chính Trị năm 2000 cũng tại đại học Houston. Hiện nay ông đang theo học chương trình Tiến Sĩ về Giáo Dục tại đại học Northcentral University.
WORKSHOP PRESENTER
Dr. Truong Nong is an educator, a community activist with more than 25 years of experience, and a leadership trainer in the past ten years. In the past 25 years, Dr. Nong has been involved in community building, working with youth groups as a counselor and leadership trainer. Being a high school teacher for 14 years at DeBakey High School for Health Professions, Houston, Texas, Dr. Nong knows firsthand the impact of education. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, a Master’s of Arts in Political Science, and a Ph.D in Education. Dr. Nong has been teaching Vietnamese language and Vietnamese Studies at the University of Houston in the past 5 years.
Năm 1990, ông là một trong những người sáng lập ra Nhóm Sinh Hoạt Thế Hệ tại thành phố Houston, Texas. Hiện nay ông là thành viên Hội Đồng Cố Vấn của Hội VHKHVN và nguyên là thành viên của Hội Đồng Cố Vấn của tổ chức từ thiện Hoa Hướng Dương (Sunflower Mission) (từ năm 2002 đến năm 2006). Ông đã soạn thảo nhiều chương trình huấn luyện về kỹ năng lãnh đạo cho các trại Lên Đường trong mười năm qua và giảng dạy nhiều lớp học về văn chương, lịch sử và ngôn ngữ Việt Nam do Hội VHKHVN tổ chức trong nhiều năm qua. Năm 2005, ông giã từ nghề giáo để dành toàn thời gian cho việc thành lập Học Viện Công Dân, một tổ chức thiện nguyện với mục đích phát huy tinh thần trách nhiệm xã hội và minh bạch tại Việt Nam qua chương trình giáo dục công dân chú trọng về kỹ năng lãnh đạo và quản trị doanh nghiệp.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
15
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
WORKSHOP PRESENTER: HUNG PHUNG
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR & STUDENT ADVOCATE/BLOOMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Hung D Phung was born in South Vietnam in early 60’s and grew up during the Vietnam War. Hung’s father was in the Army Ranger so he had been deployed from one war zone to another. After the War ended in 1975, Hung as a teenager had to balance between school and making a living to help his family. Hung received his military draft when he turned 18 as the Vietnamese communist government was engaged in the war in Cambodia in the early 80’s. Hung’s mother decided to plan for Hung’s escape from Vietnam although it was not an easy journey. For ten days and nights, Hung was in a tiny boat, which was packed with 11 other people. There were many times that Hung had a near-death experience on the open sea due to the boat’s capacity and lack of food and water. The boat travelled about 1,000 miles on the South China Sea and finally landed in Bataan, Philippines. Hung spent about 18 months in the Phillipines Refugee Center and finally arrived in Minnesota, United States.
WORKSHOP PRESENTER
Hung’s community involvements began in 1982 when he volunteered to work as a paraprofessional for Family Children Services. This was a road map which led him to what he does at his current profession. Hung received his Bachelor degree at University of Minnesota in 1989 and had worked for Wilder Foundation and Lutheran Social Services. Hung decided to come back to refugee camps and work for United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Hong Kong in 1991. He came back to Minnesota in 1994 and was able to reunite with his family to after 13 years of separation. Hung has been working with Bloomington Public Schools since 1995. Hung earned a Master’s Degree in Education in 2001 with a focus in guidance counseling. In the last 20 years, Hung has been involved with various projects in Bloomington and Vietnamese/Asian community in the Twin Cities and abroad. Hung is currently working at as guidance counselor for Adult Education & Student Advocates for Kennedy High School 50% of which population consists of students of color. Hung has delivered many workshops and training in various topics in culture and/or diversity seminars to staff. Hung also has facilitated monthly SEED seminars (Seeking Equality Education Diversity) for Bloomington Public School staff since 2001. He also provided educational and cultural consulting services to various schools districts in the Twin Cities, Dakota County, City of Bloomington, and State Universities.
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Phùng Đức Hưng sinh ra và lớn lên tại miền Nam Việt Nam. Vượt biển tìm tự do vào đầu thập niên 1980 đến được Philippines và sau đó định cư tại Minnesota. Anh bắt đầu hoạt động cộng đồng từ năm 1982 với Family Children Services. Sau khi tốt nghiệp đại học Minnesota năm 1989, Hưng làm việc cho Wilder Foundation and Lutheran Social Services; nhưng sau đó lại quyết định đi giúp người tị nạn tại Đông Nam Á với Cao ủy Tị nạn LHQ ở Hong Kong, năm 1991. Đoàn tụ với đại gia đình sau 13 năm cách biệt vào năm 1994. Hưng làm việc cho Khu Học Chánh Bloomington từ năm 1995 và tốt nghiệp Cao học về Giáo dục năm 2001 về phụ đạo cho học sinh. Trong 20 năm qua, anh Hưng đã tham gia sinh hoạt với nhiều tổ chức Mỹ-Việt tại Twin Cities. Hiện nay anh làm giáo sư phụ đạo tại trường Trung học Kennedy, nơi 50% là học sinh da màu. Anh cũng đã phụ trách huấn luyện và thuyết trình về những đề tài liên quan đế văn hóa và sắc thái đa dạng cho hiệu đoàn; một trong những chương trình thường xuyên là Hội thảo SEED (Seeking Equality Education Diversity) cho Khu Học chánh Bloomington từ năm 2001.
16
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
WORKSHOP PRESENTER: LIEM DUC VU
Outside of his teaching work, Mr. Vu volunteers with various community events to help preserve and promote Vietnamese culture. He helped judge the Minnesota community Tet’s scholarship contest for two years and was also a pageant judge for two years. For several years, he also helped design and construct the stages for his church’s Tet and Christmas celebration, his community’s Tet Trung Thu celebration at the Mall of America, and his Vietnamese students’ Tet Trung Thu and Tet event at the high school. Those events were open to several hundred community members. Mr. Vu was a Len Duong camper in 2007. In 2008 he joined as a staff and have been a staff since. In 2009, he co-founded the MN chapter with Mr. Hung Phung and in 2012 he served as the Camp Master of Len Duong Camp held in Minnesota.
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Năm 1990, lúc mới chín tuổi Vũ Đức Liêm cùng gia đình di dân sang Mỹ và cư ngụ tại tiểu bang Iowa . Sau vài năm sinh sống tại Iowa, Liêm cùng gia đình dọn về Bloomington, Minnesota. Tốt nghiệp trung học ưu hạng tại Bloomington (1% hàng đầu trong tổng số học sinh tốt nghiệp và có đủ tín chỉ cho năm thứ Ba tại đại học). Liêm theo ngành hóa học và kỹ sư Hóa tại Đại học Minnesota. Sau một thời gian làm việc kỹ sư, Liêm trở lại trường Đại học Minnesota để học về sư phạm và tốt nghiệp ưu hạng chương trình Cao học Giáo dục, và sau đó trở thành giáo viên dạy khoa học tại trung học. Trong tám năm qua, Liêm đã dạy môn khoa học tại một trường trung học rất đa dạng, và làm đồng-chủ tịch Ủy ban Đa dạng trong hai năm. Song song với những hoạt động nhằm hiểu rõ hơn tâm tư của những học sinh đa dạng, Liêm còn trợ huấn cho các giáo viên tham dự với hai chương trình SEED III và SEED IV, trong học kỳ mùa thu 2009 và mùa xuân 2011. Ngoài việc dạy học tại học đường, Liêm cũng dạy Giáo lý cho Nhà thờ Công giáo.
WORKSHOP PRESENTER
In 1990, Liem Duc Vu immigrated to the state of Iowa at the age of 9 from Vietnam. After living in Iowa for a few years, his family moved to Bloomington, Minnesota. In Bloomington, he completed his high school education (top one percent of the class and with two years of college credits). Post high school, Mr. Vu went to the University of Minnesota to study chemistry and Chemical Engineering. After a few years of working, Mr. Vu went back to school at the Univ. of MN to become a science teacher. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Science degree in Education(M. Ed). In the past eight years Mr. Vu has taught science in a very diverse school, there he co-chaired the Diversity Committee for two years. During those eight years, Mr. Vu also have taught Catechism for his Vietnamese Catholic church. Along with working with students to understand diversity better, Mr. Vu was also the co-facilitator for SEED III (Seeking Educational Equality and Diversity) and SEED IV classes for teachers from fall 2009 to spring 2011.
Ngoài công việc chính là giáo viên, Liêm còn tham gia vào những công tác cộng đồng nhằm bảo tồn và phát huy văn hóa Việt Nam, như làm giám khảo cuộc thi học bổng và thi hoa hậu tại Hội chợ Tết Minnesota trong hai năm. Ngoài ra Liêm còn góp phần vào việc thiết kế và xây dựng sân khấu cho Hội chợ Tết tại Nhà thờ và Lễ Giáng sinh, cũng như cho chương trình Tết Trung Thu của cộng đồng tại Thương Xá America cũng như cho học sinh tại trường Liêm đang dạy. Năm 2007 Liêm tham dự trại Lên Đường lần đầu tiên trong tư cách là một trại sinh. Năm sau, 2008, Liêm trở thành thành viên Ban Quản trại. Năm 2009, Liêm cùng anh Hưng Phùng đồng thành lập Phân hội Văn hóa Khoa học tại Minnesota, và trở thành Trại Trưởng Lên Đường năm 2012 tại Minnesota.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
17
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
WORKSHOP PRESENTER: MR. BAO NGOC NGUYEN
FOUNDER OF VCSA – ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
WORKSHOP PRESENTER 18
Nguyen, Ngoc Bao, was born in Hanoi, Vietnam, but grew up in the South and graduated from Chu Van An high school in 1971. From 1971 to 1972 he attended School of Law, University of Saigon. As the Vietnam War reached its peak, he joined the Republic of Vietnam’s army in 1972 for two years and served as a first lieutenant. In 1974 he attended the National Public Administration Institute, Saigon. After 1975, Mr. Nguyen and his family escaped Vietnam and relocated in Houston, Texas. He managed work full-time and go to school and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Nguyen has served as a Senior Engineer at Jacobs Sverdrup Corporation, Houston, Texas. He has 19 years of experience in engineering support for NASA/Johnson Space Center, Structures and Mechanics Division. He is the founder of the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association (VCSA), and served as its first President from 1990 to 1998 and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1998 to 2005. He is currently an advisor for the VCSA and for the Sunflower Mission, an organization that commits to improve the lives of the people in Vietnam through educational assistance programs. Mr. Nguyen has also been teaching Marriage Preparation Classes and Strengthening Marriage and Relationships courses for the Catholic Diocese of Galveston-Houston for 25 years. He has a very strong interest in Vietnamese literature and a strong commitment to help the Vietnamese youth to preserve and develop their cultural heritage. His specialty includes Vietnamese literature during the 19th century, especially the “Kim Van Kieu” literature masterpiece. He has been a visiting instructor in Vietnamese literature at the University of Houston, University Park for two years. In July 2007, he was selected for the Golden Wave Award by Little Saigon Radio and Viet Tide Magazine for his outstanding contribution to the Vietnamese community in Houston, Texas. In 2007, he was also honored as Outstanding Community Leader by University of Houston, Clear Lake Campus in November 2007. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kỹ sư Nguyễn Ngọc Bảo sinh năm 1952 tại Hà Nội, Việt Nam. Ông theo học trung học tại trường Chu Văn An và sau đó, phân khoa Luật, viện đại học Sài Gòn. Năm 1972, ông tham gia quân ngũ, thụ huấn khóa 9/72 trường Sĩ Quan Bộ Binh Thủ Đức. Khi ra trường, ông phục vụ trong binh chủng Pháo Binh, quân lực Việt Nam Cộng Hòa. Năm 1974, ông thi đậu vào khóa 22 Đốc Sự trường Quốc Gia Hành Chánh và trở về đời sống sinh viên. Ngày 30 tháng 4 năm 1975, ông cùng gia đình rời Việt Nam, rồi đến định cư tại thành phố Houston, tiểu bang Texas. Tại đây, ông theo học đại học Houston và tốt nghiệp cử nhân ngành kỹ sư cơ khí với hạng danh dự. Ông đã từng là kỹ sư cao cấp của Jacobs Sverdrup Corporation, phục vụ trong chương trình không gian Hoa Kỳ từ 20 năm qua. Trong sinh hoạt thiện nguyện, ông là sáng lập viên hội Văn Hóa Khoa Học Việt Nam (VHKHVN), từng đảm nhiệm chức vụ hội trưởng từ 1990 đến 1998 và chủ tịch Hội Đồng Chỉ Đạo từ 1998 đến 2005. Ông hiện là cố vấn hội VHKHVN; cố vấn Sunflower Mission, tổ chức trợ cấp phương tiện giáo dục cho các học sinh nghèo ở Việt Nam; cố vấn Messengers of Love, tổ chức giúp đỡ người tật nguyền và trẻ mồ côi tại Việt Nam; và cố vấn hội Ái Hữu Hà Nội tại Houston, Texas. Ngoài ra, ông còn là giảng viên lớp Dự Bị Hôn Nhân cho cộng đồng Công Giáo Việt Nam tại Houston và Galveston từ 1980 đến nay, là một cây bút trong ban biên tập báo Ngày Nay từ 1995, và là người phụ trách chương trình Văn Học Nghệ Thuật trên đài phát thanh Saigon Houston từ 2004. Với một kiến thức phong phú về văn học, ông từng được mời phụ giảng lớp Văn Chương Việt Nam tại đại học Houston. Những đóng góp của ông dành cho cộng đồng người Việt hải ngoại trong nhiều năm qua đã được đồng hương và người bản xứ ghi nhận. Ngày 14 tháng 7 năm 2007, ông được trao giải Sóng Vàng, giải thưởng do đài phát thanh Little Saigon và tuần báo Việt Tide thành lập để vinh danh cá nhân có đóng góp to lớn cho sự phát triển của cộng đồng Việt Nam tại Houston, Texas, qua cuộc bình chọn của thinh giả cùng độc giả. Hội VHKHVN cũng được trao giải đoàn thể trong ngày này. Bốn tháng sau, ngày 14 tháng 11 năm 2007, ông được viện đại học Houston-Clear Lake trao giải thưởng Community Award.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
WORKSHOP PRESENTER: MS. ANHLAN PHUC NGUYEN Anhlan Nguyen believes the future is in the hands of the young. Her accomplishments include the establishment of the Vietnamese Youth Center of Toronto, Canada; the National Youth Leadership Development Camp “Len Duong” for young community activists from across USA and Canada; and the hosting of numerous community programs aimed at helping and developing Vietnamese-American youths. She was also the organizer of the “Thank You America” luncheon in 1995 honoring local charities that help Vietnamese refugees relocate and become acclimated in their new homeland. Nguyen’s passion has inspired her to lead numerous humanitarian efforts for the hurricane and flood victims in Central America and in Vietnam. Nguyen has served as president of Vietnamese Culture and Science Association (VCSA) for two consecutive terms 1999 – 2002 and 2002 - 2004. She is currently the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of VCSA. In 2000, she was selected as one of the Five Outstanding Young Houstonians by Houston Jaycee (Junior Chamber of Commerce) and she was also selected as the Honoree of the Asian-American Heritage Month of 2001 by Houston METRO Transit Authority. In 2004, she was honored by Youth Leadership Council as the recipient of the Outstanding Community Leader Award. In 2006, Bank of America recognized her as the “Local Hero” Neighborhood Excellence Award recipient for her involvement in the Katrina relief effort. In 2010, she was recognized by Comerica Bank and Steed Society as one of the Top 25 Women in Houston. She was also a recipient of the Texas Women’s Leadership Empowerment Award by Texas Women Empowerment Foundation in 2011. In May 2012, Anhlan Nguyen was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Education Foundation, a federal agency that oversees a scholarship program for Vietnamese graduate students studying abroad in Science and Technology field. Anhlan currently works at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center as an Information Technology Portfolio Manager. Her specialty is project management, especially for the Information Technology field. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by Project Management Institute (an international organization specialized in project management). Nguyen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in 1989 and a Master’s in Computer Science, University of Toronto, Canada. Currently she is a PhD Candidate in Business Administration specialized in Project Management at Northcentral University, Arizona. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cô Nguyễn Phúc Anh Lan hiện nay là Chủ Tịch Hội Đồng Chỉ Đạo Hội Văn Hóa Khoa Học Việt Nam (HVHKHVN). Cô Anh Lan sinh quán tại Huế, Việt Nam, sang Canada định cư năm 1984 và đã tích cực tham gia các sinh hoạt thanh niên sinh viên trong thời gian Cô học tại đại học Toronto, Canada. Trong thời gian này Cô sinh hoạt tích cực trong công tác Hướng Đạo và là Bầy Trưởng Bầy Chim Non thuộc nữ Liên Đoàn Nhị Trưng từ năm 1987 – 1994, Liên Đoàn Trưởng Nữ LĐ Nhị Trưng năm 1990 – 1992. Năm 1990, Cô cùng một số thân hữu thành lập Trung Tâm Thanh Niên Toronto, một tổ chức thanh niên rất năng động tại Toronto và vẫn duy trì sinh hoạt cho đến ngày nay. Năm 1994, Cô lập gia đình và sang định cư tại Hoa Kỳ và đã tích cực sinh hoạt trong Hội VHKHVN và Cô đã giữ nhiệm vụ Hội Trưởng từ năm 1999 – 2004. Năm 2000, Cô được tổ chức Houston Jaycee trao giải thưởng “5 Người Trẻ Xuất Sắc toàn thành phố Houston.” Năm 2001, Cô được cơ quan Houston Metro Transit tuyên dương là Người Châu Á Xuất Sắc trong dịp tháng Năm là tháng của người Mỹ gốc Á Châu. Năm 2004, Cô được Hội Đồng Lãnh Đạo Trẻ trao tặng giải thưởng Người Lãnh Đạo Xuất Sắc tại thành phố Houston và năm 2006 Cô được Bank of America trao tặng giải thưởng “Local Hero” do các đóng góp về công tác thiện nguyện giúp nạn nhân bão Katrina. Hiện nay Cô đang làm việc tại Viện Ung Thư MD Anderson Cancer Center tại Houston, Texas. Chuyên ngành của Cô là về thiết kế và quản trị các dự án về điện toán (IT Project Management). Cô tốt nghiệp Kỹ sư ngành Điện Toán với phần thưởng Ưu Hạng năm 1989, Cao Học ngành Điện Toán năm 1993 tại đại học Toronto, Canada; hiện nay cô đang theo học chương trình Tiến sĩ về Business Administration. Năm 2012, Cô được tổng thống Obama bổ nhiệm làm ủy viên Hội đồng Quản trị Quỹ Giáo dục Việt Nam, một cơ quan trực thuộc chính quyền Liên bang Hoa kỳ.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
WORKSHOP PRESENTER
CHAIRWOMAN OF THE VCSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
CAREER PANELIST: MS. DUY-LOAN LE SENIOR FELLOW, TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
CAREER PANELIST
Mrs. Le is a Senior Fellow (Senior VP equivalence of Texas Instruments’ technology track). She is currently responsible for technology readiness and product ramp execution for Texas Instruments’ (TI’s) multi-billion dollar Embedded Processing (EP) business. In this capacity, she oversees the definition of technology requirements, directs technology qualifications with the development and manufacturing teams, and leads internal product ramp execution. These teams span multiple countries, disciplines, businesses, and organizations across TI. In 2008, Texas Instruments opened offices in Vietnam and Mrs. Le is helping to grow new businesses there. Mrs. Le started her career with TI as a Memory Design Engineer at the age of 19. She was responsible for bringing up TI memory devices, a multi-billion product line, with joint venture partners on three continents for the first time in TI’s history. One of TI Digital Signal Processor (DSP) products under her leadership was recognized in the 2004 Guinness World Records and this one single product generated over $1Bil of revenue for TI. In 2002, Mrs. Le became the first woman elected to the Board of Directors at National Instruments (NATI, traded on NASDAQ). She served as a member of Governance & Nomination Committee and currently chairs the Compensation Committee. In 2012, Mrs. Le was elected to the Board of Directors at eSilicon Corp. (a private company headquartered in Silicon Valley). In 2002, Mrs. Le became the first Asian-American and the first woman to get elected TI Senior Fellow. Today, she continues to be the only woman to hold this title in TI’s 85 year history and is one of only four Senior Fellows worldwide. She holds 24 patents, among which is a portfolio classified as ‘pioneering patents’ for TI. She is a registered Professional Engineer (PE) and a sought after keynote speaker. Throughout her career, Mrs. Le has been recognized with a long list of prestigious awards, including Pink’s Top 15 Women in Business, Women on the Move, Women of Vision: Leadership, Women In Technology International (WITI) Hall of Fame, National Technologist Of The Year, TimesPeople, Science Spectrum Trailblazer, Asian American Engineer of The Year, Who’s Who in the World, VANG’s Golden Torch with United States Congressional Recognition for Civic Leadership. Mrs. Le’s service to the community is extensive. Among many of the things she does in America and internationally, she enjoys most providing education assistance for children and supporting social economic developments projects around the world through her role as co-founder and director for two 501c3 foundations: Mona Foundation and Sunflower Mission. She serves on the Engineering Advisory Board for the University of Texas’s Cockrell College of Engineering and the Executive Board for the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business. Mrs. Le is married to her husband Tuan N. Dao for 30 years. She has two boys, Dan 19 and Don 16. She enjoys deep sea fishing, reading, movie, classical music, painting, and playing poker. She holds a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do and has won several medals and trophies in the State of Texas. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cô Lê Duy Loan cùng gia đình đến Mỹ năm 12 tuổi. Bốn năm sau, một phần nhờ vào tự học Anh ngữ ban đêm, cô tốt nghiệp trung học hạng Thủ khoa. Năm 1982, cô tốt nghiệp Kỹ sư Điện Ưu hạng tại Đại học Texas-Austin và bắt đầu làm kỹ sư về memory design cho TI năm 19 tuổi. Hiện nay cô là Giám đốc Chương trình World Wide Digital Signal Processor (DSP) Advanced Technology Ramp của TI. Trong lịch sử 85 năm của TI cho đến nay,cô Duy Loan là người phụ nữ Á châu đầu tiên và duy nhất được TI tuyển chọn làm Thành viên Kỹ thuật Cao cấp thuộc Viện Nghiên Cứu Kỹ Thuật, năm 2002. Cô Duy Loan có 22 bằng phát minh và 8 bằng khác đang chờ giám định. Sự nghiệp của cô được các tạp chí chuyên ngành như SPECTRUM của IEEE, Asian Enterprise, các báo chí quốc tế và Việt Nam đăng tải. Cô hiện là thành viên Hội đồng Chỉ đạo của National Instruments, một công ty có trụ sở tại Austin và có cổ phần niêm yết trên NASDAQ. Cô Duy Loan đạt được nhiều thành tích trong nghề nghiệp,và ngoài các hoạt động chuyên nghiệp, cô Duy Loan cũng rất năng động trong các hoạt động cộng đồng, đặc biệt chú trọng đến việc trợ giúp giáo dục cho trẻ em và các chương trình yểm trợ phát triển kinh tế xã hội qua các hoạt động của Mona Foundation và Sunflower Mission.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT 20
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
CAREER PANELIST: MS. KIM YEN VU PRINCIPAL, COLLINS ELEMENTARY, ALIEF ISD
In summer 2008, Kim received a scholarship and attended the Principal’s Institute at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 2009, Kim Yen was recognized as an Outstanding Asian Pacific American Educator from the Chinese Community Center. In 2010, Kim Yen was nominated and accepted as a fellow to the Class of XXVIII of the American Leadership Forum. In 2011, Kim Yen was nominated by her superintendent to represent her District at the Region 4 Principal Recognition Program. Recently, Kim Yen was recognized by the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce as the 2012 ten most influential Vietnamese American Women in Houston. Kim Yen is very active in her community and her church. She hosts a monthly educational forum on a local radio talk show to inform and educate the community on educational topics and issues. She volunteers in the community and is currently the president of Vietnamese Culture and Science Association. Kim Yen is passionate about education, and her joy is touching the lives of students, our future leaders. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cô Vũ Kim Yến sinh tại Đà Nẵng, theo gia đình vào Sài gòn và học tiểu học tại trường Lê Quý Đôn cho đến năm 1975 thì theo gia đình di tản sang Mỹ lúc mới 7 tuổi. Hiện nay cô Kim Yến là hiệu trưởng trường tiểu học Stafford, thuộc Học khu Thị Xã Stafford. Cô Kim Yến đã phục vụ trong ngành giáo dục được 23 năm, đảm nhiệm nhiều chức vụ khác nhau. Sau khi tốt nghiệp hạng Danh dự với văn bằng Cử nhân Giáo dục và Tâm lý tại Đại học Southern Mississippi năm 1990, cô Kim Yến bắt đầu nghề dạy học và dạy Song Ngữ cho học sinh thuộc diện di dân tại Gulf Port, Mississippi. Sau khi dọn sang Texas và tiếp tục làm việc trong ngành giáo dục, cô Kim Yến theo học và tốt nghiệp Cao học ngành Cố vấn Giáo dục và làm Cố vấn cho học sinh cấp 2 trong 9 năm. Năm 2003, cô học tiếp và tốt nghiệp với văn bằng Cao học thứ hai về Quản trị Giáo dục và trở thành Hiệu Phó Trường Cấp hai Stafford. Cũng trong thời gian tại Stafford, cô đã đảm nhiệm các chức vụ Điều hợp viên Chương trình Song Ngữ, Phụ tá Trưởng ban Soạn thảo Chương trình giáo dục, và quyền hiệu trưởng. Mùa hè năm 2008, Cô Kim Yến được học bổng tham dự một khóa học dành cho Hiệu trưởng tại Trường Sư phạm của Đại học Harvard. Mùa thu năm 2009, Cô Kim Yến được Trung tâm Sinh hoạt Cộng Đồng Trung Hoa trao giải thưởng Nhà giáo Xuất sắc gốc Châu Á Thái Bình Dương,và được chấp nhận tham gia Khóa 28 Chương trình Đào tạo Những nhà Lãnh đạo Hoa Kỳ. Gần đây nhất, Cô Kim Yến được đại diện khu Học chánh Stafford tham dự Chương trình Vinh danh Các Hiệu trưởng trong Khu vực 4 (Hiệu trưởng Xuất sắc trong năm). Năm 2012, Cô Kim Yến được Phòng Thương mại Việt-Mỹ tại Houston chọn là một trong 10 phụ nữ có ảnh hưởng tích cực trong sinh hoạt cộng đồng tại Houston. Cô Kim Yến hoạt động rất tích cực trong các công tác cộng đồng và tôn giáo; ngoài ra, hàng tháng phụ trách chương trình hội luận giáo dục trên đài phát thanh địa phương. Là một nhà giáo nhiệt thành và tận tụy, Kim Yến tìm thấy niềm vui trong việc dạy dỗ học sinh, những người lãnh đạo trong tương lai. Hiện cô đang là Hội Trưởng của Hội Văn Hóa Khoa Học Việt Nam tại Houston, Texas.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
CAREER PANELIST
Kim Yen Vu was born in Da Nang, Vietnam. She spent most of her early childhood in Saigon and attended Le Quy Don Elementary school. She immigrated to the United States in 1975 when she was seven years old. She has been in public education for 26 years serving students in many different capacities. Her career in education began as a bilingual instructional assistant serving Migrant students in Gulfport, Mississippi. In 1990, Kim Yen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education and Psychology with Highest Honors from the University of Southern Mississippi and was honored with the Student Teacher of the Year Award. While continuing her career as a teacher, Kim Yen obtained a Masters degree in Education Counseling and later served as a middle school counselor for nine years. In 2003, she received her 2nd Masters Degree in Education Administration and Supervision. She has been an administrator since 2004, serving in various capacities as assistant principal, elementary district curriculum coordinator, and Bilingual/ESL coordinator. Kim Yen has been a school principal for 7 years and is currently a principal at Collins Elementary with the Alief Independent School District.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
CAREER PANELIST: MR. DO KY ANH, CPA Mr. Do, Ky Anh was a boat person who escaped Vietnam and arrived in Canada in 1979. He attended University of Waterloo in 1982 and graduated with a double Bachelors’ in Mathematics and Accounting & Information System. He received the designation of Chartered Accountant in 1988 and established the in-depth Tax program in 1990. He worked as an auditor for Deloitte until 1991 when he was promoted to the position of Tax Manager at Deloitte. He served in this role until 1994 when he founded his own firm. He currently runs a chartered accountancy firm in Toronto.
CAREER PANELIST 22
Mr. Do, Ky Anh has been a community activist since those days when he was a full-time student. He founded the Vietnamese Student Association at University of Waterloo and serve as the Vice-president, and President of the Association when he studied there. He has been active with Vietnamese Association of Toronto in different roles: Treasurer (1988-1989), Vice-President (1989-1990) and President (1990-1995). From 1993-1995, he serves as the President of Council of Presidents of Vietnamese Canadian Federation. He is also the founder of the Vietnamese Community Scholarship Fund. In 2004, he founded Lac Viet Center whose mandate is to organize recreational trips and visit our Vietnamese elderly in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and he served as the president of Lac Viet Center from 2004-2007. He also served as the Chairman of the Committee fighting for Vietnamese Canadians’ rights to honor the Vietnamese freedom flag at Toronto City Hall (2006-2007). Mr. Do has been the spoke-person of the Vietnamese Canadian community on various community issues to establish dialogues with the Canadian government. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ông Đỗ Kỳ Anh vượt biên đến Gia Nã Đại năm 1979 với tư cách là một thuyền nhân lúc ông còn đang là một thanh niên rất trẻ tuổi. Ông theo học tại đại học Waterlook từ năm 1982 và tốt nghiệp Cử Nhân Toán và Cử Nhân Kế Toán và Điện toán. Năm 1990 ông đậu văn bằng chuyên môn về Kế Toán tại Canada (Chartered Accountancy). Ông đã phục vụ công ty Deloitte trong nhiều năm với chức vụ Tax Manager trước khi đứng ra thành lập công ty Kế Toán của mình năm 1994. Hiện nay ông đang điều hành công ty Kế Toán độc lập rất thành công tại Toronto và vùng phụ cận. Ông Đỗ Kỳ Anh đã liên tục hoạt động cộng đồng từ lúc còn trong học đường cho đến lúc ra phục vụ ngoài xã hội. Ông là người sáng lâp Hội Sinh Viên Việt Nam tại đại học Waterloo. Sau đó, ông hoạt động rất tích cực cho Hội Người Việt Toronto với các chức vụ Thủ Quỹ, Phó Chủ Tịch và Chủ Tịch Hội. Năm 2004, ông thành lập Trung Tâm Lạc Việt để giúp các quý vị cao niên trong cộng đồng và giữ nhiệm vụ chủ tịch từ năm 2004 đến năm 2007. Ông Đỗ Kỳ Anh là tấm gương sáng của một nhà hoạt động cộng đồng lâu năm và cũng rất thành công trong lãnh vực kế toán thương mại.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
CAREER PANELIST: MR. CHAU THI NGUYEN-HUU Thi Nguyen-Huu founded his third venture, WinMagic Inc., with a vision to create encryption solutions that could meet the most demanding data protection requirements of governments and enterprises. Now in its 16th year, WinMagic has proven to be a consistent leader and innovator in its market space, growing from modest Canadian-based roots in Mississauga, Canada into a global organization with presence in dozens of countries and millions of seats of software deployed. WinMagic’s award winning software SecureDoc is now available in 35 different languages, serving its growing customer base which includes brands such as Nike, Johnson & Johnson, Toyota, University of Texas, BlackBerry and SickKids to prestigious organizations like the IRS, RCMP, Federal Reserve Bank and NASA, just to name a few. It has proudly garnered highest industry accreditations and can claim to be the only encryption software certified by the NSA to protect ‘Secret’ level. WinMagic works closely with a number of global OEM partners including Apple, Intel, Lenovo, Samsung and Toshiba to ensure SecureDoc operates flawlessly on their hardware. Most recently, WinMagic has partnered with Hewlett-Packard to deliver a world class encryption solution that will be embedded into over 30 million new commercial HP laptops/desktops as part of their standard security management offering. WinMagic attributes its success to smart product design, to its commitment to customer service but most importantly to its workforce. At WinMagic, employees do well because the organization promotes and inspires communication, collaboration as well as high standards. Employees are encouraged to build their dreams and share their visions openly to help build a culture that facilitates creativity, accountability and self-achievement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WinMagic, Inc. là công ty thứ ba do ông Nguyễn Hữu Châu Thi thành lập với mục đích và viễn kiến là chế tạo ra những phương thức mã hóa tối tân nhằm đáp ứng những yêu cầu nghiêm ngặt nhằm bảo vệ dữ kiện và thông tin quan trọng của chính quyền hay của những công ty tư nhân. Năm nay đánh dấu WinMagic được 16 tuổi. Trong suốt 16 năm qua, WinMagic đã khẳng định được vai trò lãnh đạo và sáng tạo của mình trên thị trường, từ một công ty địa phương tại Mississauga, Canada, WinMagic đã phát triển và trở thành một công ty toàn cầu, có mặt trên hơn hàng chục quốc gia và hàng triệu phần software được sử dụng. Software SecureDoc, một sản phẩm được giải thưởng của WinMagic, được sử dụng với 35 ngôn ngữ khác nhau, phục vụ một khối lượng khách hàng cơ bản đang ngày một gia tăng, như các hãng Nike, Johnson & Johnson, Toyota, University of texas, Blackberry, và SickKids, cùng những tổ chức tầm vóc như Sở thuế vụ IRS, Cảnh sát RCMP, Fedral Reserve Bank và NASA. WinMagic rất hãnh diện khi nhận được những bằng khen và công nhận cao nhất trong lãnh vực bảo mật thông tin điện tử, và có thể tự tuyên xưng là hãng chế tạo software mã hóa duy nhất được cơ quan NSA chứng thực là đạt tiêu chuẩn “Bí Mật.” WinMagic cộng tác chặt chẽ với một số công ty OEM quốc tế như Apple, intel, Lenovo, Samsung và Toshiba để bảo đảm là software SecureDoc vận hành trơn tru trong sản phẩm của những hãng này. Gần đây nhất, WinMagic đã trở thành đối tác của hãng Hewlett-Packard và cung cấp cho HP một giải pháp bảo mật thông tin có đẳng cấp thế giới để cài đặt vào hơn 30 triệu máy vi tính (laptop và desktop) trong chương trình tiêu chuẩn hóa sự bảo mật an ninh quản trị cho HP. Công ty WinMagic cho rằng sự thành công có được ngày hôm nay là nhờ ở sự thiết kế sản phẩm khôn ngoan và sáng tạo, sự tận tụy phục vụ khách hàng, nhưng điều quan trọng nhất là thành phần nhân sự của công ty. Tại WinMagic, nhân viên làm việc rất tốt vì công ty khuyến khích và tạo cảm hứng cho nhân viên trao đổi sáng kiến và hợp tác với nhau nhắm tới việc duy trì tiêu chuẩn cao. Nhân viên của WinMagic được khích lệ để xây dựng những ước mơ của mình và chia sẻ viễn kiến với nhau nhằm tạo ra một nền văn hóa doanh nghiệp bồi dưỡng cho sự sáng tạo, sự nhận lãnh trách nhiệm cao cho sự thành công của cá nhân và của cả công ty.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
CAREER PANELIST
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF WINMAGIC INC.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
CAREER PANELIST: MR. THIEN HUYNH
COLUMNIST, OWNER OF MARKETING DESIGN SOLUTIONS Thien Huynh began his career as a reporter for the Toronto Star and quickly became the first Vietnamese-Canadian to have his own nationally-syndicated column. He went on to become a television reporter for SUN TV News and had adventures such as cooking with an Iron Chef, practicing with the Toronto Raptors, drag racing on an Indy track, visiting the Prime Minister at his home, and meeting an assortment of celebrities during his time as a journalist. In 2011, he won the Canadian Ethnic Media Association’s award for feature writing in Thoi Bao News paper. He eventually transitioned to the corporate world as Director of Public Relations for Russell Investments – an international wealth company that manages over $1.5 billion in assets. Currently, he leads all communications for TD Bank’s Global Compensation Group – while still writing weekly national columns for the Toronto Sun and Huffington Post. He also owns Marketing Design Solutions, a multimedia company that produces corporate videos and develops smart phone apps.
CAREER PANELIST
Throughout his career, Thien has been conscious of using his industry connections and media platform to promote the Vietnamese-Canadian community. He is a former Vice-President of the Vietnamese Association of Toronto, co-founder of Viet Hoops, Vietnamese representative on the Toronto Police Chief’s Council, and ESL teacher at Broadview Christian Church. He was one of the community’s Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee award winners in 2013. His greatest career regret is not being 100% fluent in French or Vietnamese. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thiện khởi đầu nghiệp báo chí bằng chân phóng viên cho nhật báo Toronto Star và chẳng bao lâu đã trở thành một bỉnh bút người Canada gốc Việt đầu tiên có cột báo chuyên mục được đăng lại trên báo chí toàn quốc. Sau đó, Thiện trở thành phóng viên cho đài truyền hình SUN TV, thực hiện một số chương trình như Nấu ăn với Thiết Trù sư, thực tập với đội bóng rổ Toronto Raptors, đua xe chế biến đặc biệt tại sân đua Indy, viếng thăm Thủ tướng Canada tại nhà riêng và tiếp xúc với những người nổi tiếng khác. Năm 2011, Thiện được giải thưởng của Canadian Ethnic Media Association về phóng sự viết cho Thời Báo Canada.
Sau đó Thiện chuyển sang làm việc trong thế giới doanh nghiệp và làm Giám đốc đặc trách Quan hệ Công chúng cho công ty Đầu tư Russell—một công ty đầu tư quốc tế có vốn quản trị trên 1.5 tỷ đô-la. Hiện nay, Thiện đang phụ trách tất cả thông tin cho Global Compensation Group thuộc ngân hàng TD, đồng thời vẫn tiếp tục viết những cột báo hàng tuần cho tờ Toronto Sun và Huffington Post. Thêm vào đó Thiện cũng làm chủ công ty Marketing Design Solutions dùng kỹ thuật thông tin đa phương tiện sản xuất video cho những công ty và các ứng dụng cho smart phone. Trong nghề nghiệp của mình Thiện luôn ý thức đến việc tận dụng những mối quan hệ đã tạo được với giới kỹ nghệ và truyền thông nhằm cổ xúy cho cộng đồng người Việt tại Canada. Những sinh hoạt cộng đồng của Thiện gồm có: Phó Chủ tịch Hội Người Việt Toronto, đồng sáng lập viên tổ chức Viet Hoops, đại diện người Việt trong Ban Cố vấn Cảnh sát Toronto, dạy ESL tại Broadview Christian Church. Thiện cũng vừa nhận được giải thưởng Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee năm 2013. Trong nghề nghiệp của mình, Thiện có một điều tiếc là không nói hay viết được thông thạo hoàn toàn 100% tiếng Pháp và tiếng Việt.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT 24
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
THE MOST VENERABLE THÍCH TÂM HÒA
Thượng Tọa Thích Tâm Hòa Tổng Vụ Trưởng Tổng Vụ Hoằng Pháp GHPGVNTNHN/Canada kiêm trụ trì chùa Pháp Vân – Trung Tâm Văn Hóa Phật Giáo Việt Nam tại Ontario TT. Thích Tâm Hòa xuất gia năm 1970, được đào tạo qua các Phật Học Viện thuộc hệ thống GHPGVNTN trước năm 1975. Thủ khoa Đại Giới Đàn Phước Hưng, Sa Đéc, tỉnh Đồng Tháp.năm 1982. Ngài vượt biển đến đảo Palawan, Phi Luật Tân năm 1988 và trụ trì chùa Vạn Đức kiêm Chánh Đại Diện Giáo Hội Phật Giáo Palawan – Ngài còn là Tuyên úy Liên Đoàn Hướng Đạo Ra-Khơi Palawan 1988 – 1990.
RELIGIOUS LEADER
BUDDHIST
The Most Venerable Thich Tam Hoa is the Commissioner for Dharma Propagating Affairs within the Vietnamese Unified Buddhist Congregation of Canada and the Abbot of Phap Van Pagoda – Vietnamese Buddhist Cultural Centre of Ontario. The Most Venerable Thich Tam Hoa became a novice monk in 1970 in Nha Trang,Vietnam, and attended Vietnam’s Buddhist Institutes before 1975. He received full ordination at Phuoc Hung, Sa-Dec, Dong Thap in 1982. He left Vietnam by boat to Palawan, Phillippines in 1988 and became the abbot of Van Duc Temple, the main of representative of the Buddhist Society and the chaplain of the Palawan Federation of Seaward Guides Palawan (1988-1990). In 1990, the Most Venerable Thich Tam Hoa immigrated to Canada where he continued his monastic life, becoming General Secretary for the Committee for the Establishment of Vietnamese Unified Buddhist Congregation of Canada (VUBCC) in 1992. From 1992 to present, he is Commissioner for Dharma Propagating Affairs of the Vietnamese Unified Buddhist Congregation of Canada. He was conferred the title of Most Venerable in 2004 by the Shanga Institute of Vietnamese Unified Buddhist Church (VUBC). The Most Venerable Thich Tam Hoa was also the Chair of the Organizing Committe for bringing the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace to Toronto in 2010. Since his arrival to Canada in 1990, the Most Venerable is actively involved in the Vietnamese community’s activities throughout the GTA, including participation in the float and parade to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnamese Freedom Flag; supporting the annual Community Scholarship; attending the Heritage language in Mississauga and Brampton to encourage parents and their children to preserve Vietnamese culture; Participating in the Annual community Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival; Participating in the annual Commemoration Ceremony of King Hung Vuong; and Fundraising for disaster relief, including Tsunami victims in Thailand and Indonesia, flood victims in Vietnam, and earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan at present time. For his ongoing community and charitable work, he was honoured in 2011 with an award for outstanding achievement from the Canadian Multicultural Council – Asians in Ontario along with thirteen other Asian Canadians. His contributions to Canadian and Vietnamese Canadian society was recognized by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Vietnamese community’s Tet celebrations in January 2013, where he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.
Năm 1990 TT Thích Tâm Hòa định cư tại Canada. Thượng Tọa là Tổng thư ký Ban Vận Động thành lập Giáo Hội Phật Giáo VN thống nhất Hải Ngoại tại Canada năm 1992. Từ năm 1992 đến nay, thầy là Tổng vụ Trưởng Tổng vụ Hoằng Pháp GHPGVNTNHN/Canada. Thầy được Viện Tăng Thống GHPGVNTN tấn phong ngôi vị Thượng Tọa năm 2004.
REVEREND HANH VAN TRAN, OMI CATHOLIC PRIEST
Father Hanh Van Tran is a gentle man who serves the Catholic parishes of Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo. He is known by his colleagues in the church to be a man of faith, compassion and humour.
Cha Trần Văn Hạnh, OMI
Cha Trần Văn Hạnh là một người đàn ông hiền lành và phục vụ các giáo xứ Công Giáo của Hamilton và Kitchener-Waterloo. Ông được biết đến bởi các đồng nghiệp của ông trong nhà thờ là một người đàn ông của đức tin, lòng từ bi và hài hước.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Concurrent Workshop #1: Diversity Workshop Understanding GENDER Issues Facilitated by Hung Phung, Trained SEED Facilitator & Liem Vu Purpose: To assist campers & staff to be more aware with diversity issues related to gender, equity, race, sexual orientation, etc. Agenda: • Intro/check-in and Ground Rules •Ice breaker activities and reflection •Watch & reflect on the film “Killing Us Softly” by Jean Kilbourne •Reflection/check out
WORKSHOP
Welcome & Ground Rules: • Listen actively - show respect when others are talking •Speak from your own experience. “I” statements • Do not be afraid to respectfully challenge, but refrain from personal attacks. Focus on IDEAS • Participate to your fullest ability (Step up/Step back) -Confidentiality -Intent vs. Impact OUCH! Assume good INTENT, explain the IMPACT Icebreaker Activity: Q: What Does Diversity Mean to You? ______________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ 1. Questions to keep in mind before viewing the DVD •How do advertisements portray women as opposed to how they portray men? •What underlying messages about American culture and society do advertisements suggest? Is it positive or negative? •Do advertisements influence young girls and their own perception of themselves? •Are advertisements in America too sexy? violent? KILLING US SOFTLY 4 DVD by JEAN KILBOURNE Discussion Questions: •What makes an advertisement remain in your memory? (images? words? music? phrases?) •According to American culture, what is the definition of “femininity” and “masculinity”? •Does Vietnamese culture consider different characteristics “feminine” or “masculine”? •What products are sold by images of women? Of men? Or people of color? •What does it mean to be a conscious consumer? •How does advertising shape American values, ethics, morals and responsibilities? Should it change? • Who might have a different point of view than Jean Kilbourne on the perception of women in advertising and what would be the reasoning?
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT 26
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP 3. Closing Thoughts: It can be concluded that today advertisements portray women in an extremely dangerous and unfavorable light. Women are used as objects, animals and are suitable to subjection for male violence. These kinds of portrayals can be embarrassing and devaluing to the female self-perception. 4. VIDEO RESOURCES ON GENDER-RELATED & OTHER DIVERSITY ISSUES: - History & Current Gender Issues: “Comfort Women” http://news.yahoo.com/japanese-mayor-wartime-sex-slaves-were-necessary-042050746.html http://news.yahoo.com/video/anger-over-japanese-mayors-sex-122158387.html - China’s One Child Policy Effect on Girl & Fighting for Women’s rights in China-Sheryl WuDunn http://test.allgirlsallowed.org/fighting-womens-rights-china-sheryl-wudunn
Understanding Intersectionality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKN7e5vz1SI - A prism from which to view a range of social problems to better ensure inclusiveness of remedies, and to identify opportunities for a greater collaboration between and across social movements. Stereotype Threat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvwvvbiwRkg - Describes the experience of being at risk of confirming, as self-characteristic, a negative stereotype of one group.
WORKSHOP
-World Human Trafficking Issues: * Human Trafficking Sex Slavery in SE Asia produced by In Focus with Thuy Phan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_5YarLeGw * Inside the Desperate World of N.Y.’s Sex Slaves by Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/video/inside-desperate-world-n-y-235037669.html
Microaggressions in Everyday Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJL2P0JsAS4 - ”Brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative slights and insults toward people of nondominant groups” The Danger of a Single Story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zeg - ”The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) References & Credited to: -
Killing Us Softly 4 DVD by Jean Kilbourne The Justice League of the Blake School, Minnesota One Body Village: Tổ Chức Một Thân Hình & In Focus with Thuy Phan Online resources: Youtube, Yahoo! News, Google, etc… Seeking Equality Education & Diversity (SEED) Seminar-Bloomington Schools, MN
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Concurrent Workshop #2 - Communication with Styles Presented by Linda Akutagawa (LEAP)
Overview: We all have different preferences when it comes to communicating and working with those around us. When these preferences are met, we are often more motivated and comfortable with the people with whom we must work and the tasks we must perform. All of us think, feel, and act in certain ways based on the patterns of behavior we’ve developed over time. These patterns often become so ingrained in us that we can refer to them as styles of behavior. Greater awareness of your own work-style and communication preferences will help you to not only seek a better “fit” or alignment with the work or tasks you perform but with the people around you as well. Being more aware of the preferences of others will enable you to build better work, community and personal relationships, influence more “win-win” outcomes, and more effectively handle a broader range of potential conflict situations. Workshop Purpose and Outcomes: Purpose: To develop effective communication skills to foster positive relationships at home, at school, in the community and in any work environment.
WORKSHOP
Outcomes: by the end of the workshop the participants will... Understand your own style, its strengths and weaknesses, and how your behaviors communicate that style to others Identify someone else’s style by quick, easily learned techniques so you’ll know how to read people and treat them the way they’d like to be treated Adjust your behavior to make all kinds of people more at ease with you, and you with them. Complete a personal action plan to implement the learning’s from the program Workshop Outline: •
Introduction - Importance of Understanding Values
•
Getting To Know You - Conduct Exercise - Human Scattergram •
Defining Styles - The Basics - Present Development of the DISC - Present The DISC Model
•
Understanding Our Behavior - Group Exercises: My Strengths and Challenges - Group Exercise: Opposites
•
Wrap Up
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
WORKSHOP
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Concurrent Workshop #3 - Adaptive Leadership Presented by Sandy Hoa Dang
You have heard a lot about leadership. You probably have read, studied, and practice leadership in a various settings. Have you ever heard of “Adaptive Leadership”? If you have not, this workshop might interest you. Created by Professor Ronald Heifetz at Harvard University – Kennedy School of Government, the concept of adaptive leadership has influenced world- renowned leaders. In this workshop, you will learn that leadership is an activity rather than a position. As an activity, leadership is about getting individuals and organizations to confront difficult “adaptive challenges.” These challenges will require people to re-examine their established set of behaviors and ways of doing things. In the workshop, you will learn to diagnose these challenges and learn valuable tools to help people in your communities and organizations. This workshop will require you to participate and be open to a new way of learning. You will have one more tool in your leadership “tool box” to address whatever leadership challenges in the future.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Concurrent Workshop #4 - Goal Setting Presented by Nông Duy Trường
Goals are Dreams with Deadlines Benefits of Goal Setting: - Motivation - Independence - Direction - Meaning - Enjoyment - Fulfillment
SMART Goal: - Specific - Measurable - Achievable - Relevant - Time-bound
Exercise: Turn your DREAM into GOAL NOTES:
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
WORKSHOP
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Concurrent Workshop #5 - Career Aspirations PANELISTS: Ms. Duy Loan Lê, Senior Fellow, Texas Instruments (Engineering) Mr. Thien Huynh, Columnist, Owner of Marketing Design Solutions (Entrepreneur / Media) Mr. Châu Thi Nguyễn Hữu, CEO, WinMagic (Computer Engineering/Entrepreneur) Ms. Kim Yến Vũ, Principal, Collins Elementary school, Alief Independent School District (Education) Mr. Anh Ky Do, CPA (Accounting/Finance) CONTENT: Each of the panelists will share with the audience their own career aspirations and some tips and techniques on how to be successful in choosing a career that we are passionate about and how to develop personally and professionally in your career. There will be Q&A session at the end of the panel discussion and wrap up with team interactive activities to discuss the importance of Goal Setting and how to prepare for your career.
WORKSHOP
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
WORKSHOP
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP VCSA 1st Prize Essay Contest Winner: Tracey Le (Stafford, TX, USA)
Genuine Happiness “Because it keeps me healthy and happy.” the elderly man answered. His response to my question of why he collects trash on my street confused me. Soon enough, I realized why.
ESSAY CONTEST
What I see when I go outside is a tree that stands in front shading my house away from the harmful rays of the sun and the uncut grass that lay on the ground with random patches of yellow. Every morning when I leave for school in my car, the elders of the street walk back and forth in their workout apparel to acquire a bit of exercise for the day. On occasion, incidents of theft or robbery would occur. On some nights, gun shots are heard from near and far. Although the area seems like an unlikely choice for an ideal neighborhood, it’s my source of inspiration, my inspiration to volunteer. It comes from the individuals that reside on my street particularly from one elder man, Mr. Morrison. This man has served our country. 40 years ago, as a young man, he served in the United States Air Force. Having grown into a fragile and weak man as years passed by, every movement of his body is a constant struggle. As he walks he moves one foot at a time in a very cautious manner worried that he might lean over too far and fall to the ground. As he bends down toward the ground, he holds on to his walker tightly slowly bending his stiff back forward to pick up something off the ground. Despite his fight to move his body, he still picks up the candy wraps, paper scraps, soda cans, and bottles along the curbs and on the lawns. What motivates us to achieve something? What brings real joy to people? What makes society a better place? All of these factors, I believe, define inspiration. It is what pushes us to achieve, bring genuine happiness, and can help build a difference in the world. My inspiration to contribute to the community can be conveyed in Eleanor Roosevelt quote that says, “Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.” The act of volunteering isn’t half as important as the feeling resulted from volunteering after seeing the joyful faces of people or the possibility that I could’ve made a large impact on someone or something. Along with the emotional aspect, something that fuels me to consistently reach out to others stems from the people around me like Mr. Morrison. He has made me realize I volunteer because it makes me happy. With an open heart and a mindset just to help others, volunteering is much more enjoyable than volunteering for volunteer hours.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Every Sunday, I wake up to the sound of my annoying alarm clock set at 8:30 AM. 15 minutes later, I finally wake up after pressing the snooze button more than five times. I jump out of bed knowing that today, I could be substituting for a classroom, helping to sell food to the students, or clean up. My local Sunday school’s objective is to provide an opportunity for the students to learn to read, write, and speak Vietnamese fluently as well as keep their cultural root under wraps. I volunteer with the belief that I could make an impact on something or someone that day. I volunteer with the belief that I can make a difference in the Vietnamese community. I volunteer with the belief that genuine joy comes from bringing joy among others.
For the past few years, I still see Mr. Morrison pick up trash on my street every day. It’s inspirational and touching to see a man so committed to what he does. Despite the constant weather changes of Houston, Mr. Morrison still continues to contribute to my neighborhood. Similar to Mr. Morrison, I will continue to volunteer at Sunday school, events, nursing homes, offices when I have the chance to. Volunteering isn’t just about helping others, it’s about bring genuine happiness among the people around me and that makes me genuinely grateful for my ability to help out in society. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESSAY CONTEST
This one veteran has forever impacted me due to his small deed of picking up trash in the street. His act of kindness has inspired me to further continue to contribute to my community. My act of kindness may inspire another person that may continue another act of kindness just like a chain reaction.
VCSA 2nd Prize Essay Contest Winner: Nam An Dinh (Mississauga, Onterio, CAN)
Changing the World, One Story at a Time “From as far back as I can remember, I had been going to community events. If I could travel back in time to any point in my life, I could probably stop anywhere and see myself becoming the individual I am today thanks to the community I grew up in−the little boy celebrating lunar new year at his local Buddhist temple, the twelve year old learning that it is indeed cool to be Vietnamese while attending his first VSA culture show, that twenty year old, performing to an audience of other Vietnamese youth in the Philippines−proof that a strong community has anchored my identity from the day I was born.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP VCSA 2nd Prize Essay Contest Winner: Nam An Dinh (Mississauga, Onterio, CAN)
Changing the World, One Story at a Time I can’t really say when it was that I started getting involved in my community; my parents ensured that I was always surrounded by positive people, and I always tried to help out in whatever capacity I could. I volunteered with my local Buddhist temple throughout high school and I attended events put on by the local Vietnamese community constantly. However, I didn’t really step up to any leadership roles until the summer I graduated from high school. The summer of 2009, I attended a number of Vietnamese youth and student events, chief amongst them being Len Duong Camp and the Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations’ (UNAVSA) annual leadership conference. Through these events, I was able to really see the spirit of collaborations and community building. Through the passionate people I met, I got to learn about their struggles, triumphs and stories. It was a wonderfully inspiring summer, and I made the resolve to really be involved.
ESSAY CONTEST
As I took on more and more leadership roles, I began to discover more about not only what inspired me to volunteer, but also why volunteerism is important to me. Since the beginning, I have been motivated by people. I feed off of other people’s positive energy, and I grow from learning about their stories and experiences. Essentially, their own passion inspired me to create my own stories. Not only does this inspiration drive me forward in my volunteerism and community involvement, it has also pushed me along in my professional and academic life too. When I graduated from high school, I ended up choosing nursing as a career because I believed it would allow me to interact with many different kinds of individuals. I have a belief that you carry with you throughout your life, an infinite number of stories that have developed from your experiences. When you meet someone new and learn about their experiences and share your own, your stories collide with their stories and veer off on an infinite amount of new directions, each direction being a new opportunity. As such, this philosophy inspires me to continue volunteering and meeting people, ultimately creating my own unique path of plot twists and adventures in my own story. In doing so, I was also helping to build and understand my own identity. In seeking these new plot twists and adventures in my life and building that identity, I also began to understand the greater impact my volunteering had on others as well. My work not only helped me grow, but also helped the community grow as well. As a Vietnamese youth, I am one of the first in my family to be born here in Canada, and not Vietnam. By building a strong community, I ensure that many generations of Vietnamese youth will grow up in a positive environment and also maintain their heritage and roots. In addition to the importance the community building plays down the road, it also helps others in the present. In my work with my local Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) as well as regional VSA, I am able to give other Vietnamese youth a chance to learn about their heritage, meet other Vietnamese youth, be more involved themselves, and connect and do things that they are passionate about…”
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP VCSA 3rd Prize Essay Contest Winner: Leah Nhi (San Diego, CA, USA)
NOT the Sole Californian
Growing up in a predominantly Caucasian neighborhood, I didn’t have the chance to interact with many Vietnamese kids my own age. Attending the camp for the first time, I was shocked that everyone I met, or even looked at, had a smile on their face and this very welcoming aura that I couldn’t possibly explain. Everyone was just so friendly! I’ve met many friendly people at school and randomly at the grocery store, but never have I been in a more friendly and welcoming environment than at LD. Everyone was so willing to meet everyone else and the type of atmosphere that that produced really helped me to push my comfort zone and just start socializing and meeting other campers. I felt like I had freed myself in a way. Freed myself from my fear that people were going to judge me and that they wouldn’t like me or find me interesting; that they wouldn’t want to be my friend! Once I broke through that initial wall, everything felt so much easier and I ended up meeting not only a ton of campers, but staff members as well! Reflecting back on it, I wonder just how many great people I missed out on getting to know because I was afraid. This is just ONE of the things that made LD such a fantastic experience for me. There’s this great sense of community at camp that I have never found elsewhere. It’s the type of people who attend this camp and who run it, that makes it so different than any other leadership conference I’ve been to. This sense of community is something I want to take back to my hometown by hosting a mini LD camp in San Diego….
ESSAY CONTEST
“I started attending Len Duong (LD) two years ago and my life has never been the same since. I never knew that a 3 day conference half way across the country could and would change me as much as it has. My first LD camp was in Denton, Texas. I was amazed that so many people came from all over the country just to go to a 3 day leadership conference. I mean, leadership conferences are great, but to travel from Canada and even Australia for a camp?! Really!? Prior to LD, I wasn’t terribly involved in the Vietnamese community, nor did I have very many Vietnamese friends. LD changed all of that almost instantly. I had never met so many amazing people. By amazing, I mean people around my age who were so driven, who had a great sense of humor and great personality, and who had such large hearts. I left camp with a great sense of community, great examples of what it takes to be a leader, and motivation to do something awesome.
After attending LD, I was so enthused to come up with my own ‘bettering the community’ idea! I decided I wanted to further VCSA’s goals of leadership development and cultural awareness, as well as my own goals NOT to be the sole Californian attendee, in coming years by starting a mini LD in San Diego! Though I loved the idea of it, it was difficult juggling college, work, volunteering, and attempting to put together a camp from scratch. I decided to wait until I graduated so I would have more time to devote to mini-LD planning and recruiting members to the San Diego VCSA chapter. I’m starting to pick up those dreams again this month and so far, I’ve got one solid volunteer and a group of very supportive board members to help. The Dallas VCSA chapter set a great example of how successful a mini LD can be and I know that with some hard work and help from volunteers, an SD mini LD is a very real possibility…”
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Lê Hoàng Nguyên Scholarship Winner 1 : Jaclyn Nguyen (Austin, TX) Jaclyn has just finished her sophomore year at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Supply Chain Management at the Red McCombs School of Business with an emphasis on healthcare. Over the past two years, She has served as the President for the Business Healthcare Association and as the Project Manager and the Academic Director for the Asian Business Student Association. She also spends most of her breaks volunteering at the Hermann Memorial City Hospital and University Health Service. Since summer of 2012, she has interned with VCSA and has organized numerous events such as the Houston’s 16th Annual Youth Excellence Recognition Program Luncheon (VVDV) and Mid Autumn Festival. In order to improve the delivery and access to healthcare, she hopes to pursue law school with a concentration in healthcare/corporate law or attend graduate school for a Masters in Healthcare Administration. This will be Jaclyn’s first experience at Len Duong Camp and she looks forward to improving her leadership skills.
In Between the World’s Unexpected Lines
SCHOLARSHIPS
In a society painted with a palette full of ethnicities, each individual stands out as their own distinct color. The colors blend fluidly on canvas to become a work in progress, which ultimately leads to one solid piece of art. I have always viewed the world as a mural of ideas and words that people universally contribute to. Like a playmaker, an artist can purposefully control the movement and dimension of their art form. Art, like community service, is an objective process. The goal is to communicate a universal message that touches people, culture, and society as a whole. From adversity found in the local community to large global conflicts, volunteerism has never been so instrumental in bringing people together. In my high school graduation speech, I told the Class of 2011: “In the future, what will matter is not what you have gained, but how significant your contributions to the community will be.” I often ask myself if I live up to those words. As a young individual, I have learned that in order to be a producer of change, you must be bold in your plan of action. Over the last two years, my academic and volunteer activities have enabled me to further develop who I am today. In the beginning of last summer, I attempted to find a part-time job like most college students. I received an email from the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association (VCSA) with the subject heading of Summer Intern. I was first introduced to VCSA as one of the 25 honorees at the 2011 Youth Excellence Recognition Program. I decided to apply. Now, I can say with confidence that it was simply fate. VCSA became a better part of my world when I was offered the position a few weeks later. For a non-profit organization, which promotes excellence in education, leadership, and skills development, I received training in fundraising planning through events held across Houston. Every day, I came to the VCSA center to be approached with warm, intelligent volunteers. They would become not only mentors but my best friends. VCSA allowed me to dynamically take on leadership roles. I delegated food logistics for the Tobacco & Obesity Prevention Summit (TOPS) at the Houston Natural Science Museum and assisted with registration for a city-wide luncheon featuring U.S. Senator John Cornyn. VCSA gave me the opportunity to explore different areas of need in the community including children’s health and human trafficking.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
Becoming a VCSA member allowed me to learn more about project management and develop my bilingual communication skills. Following the summer, I returned for several other events. I coemceed the Tết Trung Thu cultural showcase during the Mid Autumn Festival celebration and drafted cover letters and t-shirt designs as well. For VCSA’s first Walk for Wellness (5K) event, I reached out to local media stations and volunteers as part of the marketing team. The greatest reward from these community events was being able to bridge the gap between Vietnamese immigrants and mainstream America. There are times when many people lose sight of purpose due to stress and individual struggles; however, I constantly try to remind myself of the why in order to spark the how. I am determined to find a path that helps people find solutions to their health problems through three areas of healthcare I believe are important: Emotional Wellness, Patient Care, and Health Advocacy. During the school year, I volunteer twice a week at the University Health Services, UT’s on-site clinic. I assist healthcare providers and nursing staff at the Women’s Health department, and through this activity, I have learned the significance of wellness- especially as a young woman. By maintaining a healthy and safe lifestyle, women can navigate through gender, economic, and social barriers with more ease.
SCHOLARSHIPS
In the spirit of Vẻ Vang Dân Việt, I co-chaired one of VCSA’s largest events, the 16th Annual Youth Excellence Recognition Program. My role included planning the logistic and coordination tasks for the luncheon that recognizes local Houston area Vietnamese-American high school graduates that were Valedictorians or Salutatorians of their respective schools. The event draws in over 500 people every year including the Houston mayor, city council members, media, and other community leaders. Unlike normal graduation ceremonies, this program celebrates both student and parents for their achievements. After months of planning, the most nerve-wrecking memory I had was reciting a speech in Vietnamese with my fellow co-chair. Due to our lack of proficiency, we forced ourselves to rehearse as if it were for an oral school project. Although the speech was less than five minutes, I remember shaking with anxiety seconds before heading to the stage. Despite the imperfections, the VCSA volunteers and Executive Board encouraged me throughout the entire experience. The end result reminded me of the motivation and pride I had as a 2011 honoree. I felt so happy to be part of a group of aspiring Vietnamese-Americans.
At this moment, the portrait becomes a little clearer. The still-life is no longer fixed, but is now filled with rhythm and cohesion. Before the artist proceeds with dabbing more paint on the unfinished work, there is always a specific purpose to the next action. Recently, I was appointed President of McCombs Business Healthcare Association. With this extra-curricular, I plan to integrate my passion for healthcare with developmental programs to educate and support undergraduate students in their pursuit of working in health professional fields. I hope to give members a broader scope of resources and mentorship in the next school year. There is a saying that: “There is no such thing as a good painting about nothing.” To me, volunteerism and art are interrelated for the reason that beneath the foundation lays substance. By actively volunteering, solving issues in the community becomes an even greater reality. As a past Vera Tran Scholarship recipient, I like to view the world with an open mind. Seek truth in between the world’s unexpected lines because you never know what you may discover. With a paintbrush of enthusiasm, I know my stroke of color will someday make a difference on the world’s great picture.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Lê Hoàng Nguyên Scholarship Winner 2 : Frank Huynh (Washington, DC) Frank has just finished his junior year at George Washington University majoring in Biology and minoring in Theatre with the hopes of pursuing a career in Public Health. Frank attended his first Len Duong Camp in 2012 and ever since he has been living off of the fire that has developed in him to become a strong leader. In the past, he served as the Vice President and the Program Director for his school’s VSA. At the National VSA level, Frank was the External Vice President for the Mid-Atlantic Union of VSAs, and is currently on the chair of Cultural Resources Committee and Council of Regional Representatives for the Union of North America VSA. Frank looks forward to reinvigorating himself at Len Duong 2013 to grow as a leader and embracing the Len Duong Camp challenges that converts strangers into long-lasting friends.
Doctor No More
SCHOLARSHIPS
As cliché as it may sound, my whole life, I believed firmly that I should become a doctor. During my early years, I went the full nine yards with my so called ‘dream’, grabbing a toy stethoscope and pretending to check the heart rate of my mother and my grandfather on a daily basis. However, as I grew up, when asked the infamous question, “Why do you want to become a doctor,” I slowly started to realize that I couldn’t come up with a legitimate answer. In my mind, I nonchalantly put it off, thinking that I’d be able to formulate some type of response as time went on. Yet, upon finishing my third year of college recently, I have come to the realization that I still cannot come up with an answer for myself. As I rack my brain and try to break down what is it that I want to do exactly, I have come to the conclusion that I was simply put on this world to serve others, to serve my community, and more specifically, to serve my Vietnamese-American community at large. My mom was actually the one who taught me the importance of giving back to others who are in need. My mother often reminisces about her time in the Galang refugee camp after escaping Vietnam in the early 1980s, and how thankful she was for all the help that she received from strangers throughout her stay in Indonesia. She has since then made it a mission to do what she can to give back in order to payback the kindness that was given to her, and has instilled the same moral principles in me. At a young age, I started small, assisting the elderly carry groceries, and volunteering to serve food for church events. As I grew older though, I began to get involved with more community based organizations. I started my first service project in high school, collecting used ink cartridges and cell phones to be recycled, and then donating the money that I made to larger organizations with causes that I believed in. My “Planet Green” project was the first glimpse to the happiness awaiting me from helping others. When I entered college, I knew that it was my opportunity to do more, especially for the Vietnamese Community that plays such a large role in influencing who I am as a person. I helped to restart the Vietnamese Student Association at the George Washington University at the end of my freshman year, and have continued to nurture its growth, serving first as the Vice-President of the organization my sophomore year, followed by program director my junior year, to now, where I am the president-elect for the organization for my upcoming senior year of college. I have utilized the GWU Vietnamese Student Association as a vehicle for me to volunteer for and serve the local Virginia, D.C., and Maryland Vietnamese community. Collectively with the help of my executive board, we have come up with programming and fundraising events that benefit our local neighborhoods.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
During my upperclassmen years of high school, my mom did her best to try and assist me to apply to college. Though in the end, she may not have been able to contribute much, she did her best to help me, and even went as far as to attend lectures and read up on books regarding the college application process. In order to aid in the process of teaching both the parents and children of recent immigrant families, I conceptualized the College Preparation Conference that was hosted last April, thanks to the generous help of the “Be The Change Scholarship” from VCSA and the New Moon Foundation. Through the conference, we were able to educate local high school students as well as their parents about the college preparation conference, and were able to offer each of them a free 700 page SAT review book as well a scholarship for one student, and free SAT review classes for another student. I was extremely happy to be able to offer something that I wish was available to me while I was in high school, and to help the students who may have been in a similar predicament that I was in not too long ago. About a year ago, I was extremely saddened by the news that one my best friend’s father had passed away from liver cancer due to hepatitis B. Upon investigating more about the disease, I was shocked to find out that about one out of four people in Vietnam are infected with hepatitis B. With the vaccinations that are available today, that large of a number is increasingly shocking. Collectively with the Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations, I have helped with my VSA to fundraise money in order to assist the non-profit organization, M.E.M.O., with their campaign to vaccinate as many children in Vietnam this coming summer, as well as provide surgeries to prevent mother-to-child vertical transmission of the disease during childbirth. By continuing to spread more awareness about the disease, as well as creating programming to raise more funds for organizations that focus on treating hepatitis B, I am able to honor the death of my friend’s father, as well as assist him in getting over his loss.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The inspiration for many of the events that we host as an organization stems directly from my family and friends. Because my mom had to work multiple jobs to support my large family when I was young, my grandparents were the ones who basically raised me. Although my grandpa and grandma are both very strong and capable people, they arrived to the United States at too late of an age in order to pick up the English language, so they were basically limited to staying at our house and watching after me. That however did not stop my grandmother from trying to help out the family. Everyday, she would wake up early to search the neighborhoods for cans that we could recycle in order to have additional money to buy groceries. In order to thank her now for all that she has done for me, with my Vietnamese Student Association, every year, we assist in the delivery of groceries to the Vietnamese elderly in a nearby neighborhood who are too weak to carry their own. A lot of the people whom we meet and interact with have lost touch with their family as well, so we serve as their temporary grandchildren and converse with them after our grocery deliveries. This yearly event for me serves as an homage to my hardworking grandmother.
All of the work that I have continued to do so far in life has shown me that at the root of all, I am passionate about helping others. At the conclusion of my junior year of college, I have realized that although I do have interest in the medical field, I do not believe that being a doctor is my calling. I have recently switched over to pursuing a career in public health, where I’ll be able to put to use all of the skills that I have learned from helping my local Vietnamese community thus far. I hope to one day be able to find a job that will allow me to continue to serve others in thanks to those that have done so much for me.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Dr. Rick Ngo Scholarship Winner : Julia Engio (Kitchener, Ontario) Julia is a student in Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University. She is an active volunteer for the Tết Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival with the VCSA Toronto Chapter as well as the Vietnamese Association of Kitchener-Waterloo. She has experience with Graphic Designs and various sports such as Track/Field and Rugby. Julia looks forward to the opportunity to gain personal development in becoming a meaningful leader and contribute to her community.
Scars That Make Us Who We Are
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Being born in Canada and growing up in a Western culture, it is not surprising that my fluency and knowledge of the Vietnamese language, traditions, and culture are minimal. And yet despite the fact that I cannot personally identify with Vietnam, it is a country that has made me the person I am today. The life values passed down to me from my mother, who endured a numbers of obstacles while growing up during a civil war and eventually fleeing from a war-torn country, are values I uphold proudly. April 30, 1975 marked the historic day when the Viet Cong claimed Saigon and portraits of Ho Chi Minh were scattered everywhere. Similar to the experiences of many Vietnamese people, it was this momentous event that changed my mother’s life. My mother, Hue Nguyen, was an eight-year-old child when her country was transformed drastically before her eyes. Her once carefree life became a mere memory of the past because at such a young age, my mother learned the meaning of oppression and loss. Without any connections or wealth, food was scarce and education became a luxury that my mother’s family could not afford. Despite the risks of imprisonment, torture, and death, my mother, my aunt and some other relatives attempted to flee Vietnam countless times. They purchased passage on a fishing boat leaving for Malaysia and on the day after the Vietnamese New Year, they once again left their hometown. For the next five days and four nights, my mother hid on a crowded boat with sixty-two other passengers. Food and water was extremely limited with very unsanitary conditions. Vomit covered the floors from motion sicknesses and the smell of waste was inescapable. My mother’s sea journey was by no means an easy journey because at one point the boat engine broke down and the boat could only aimless drift with depleted food and water supplies. It was truly a miracle that a passing cargo ship from another country was willing to tow their small fishing boat to Malaysia and provide food and water to the women and children on board. Once in Malaysia my mother and her family stayed at the refugee camp until they were accepted as into Canada. Upon arriving, my mother then began the arduous process of adapting to a new country, learning a foreign language, and trying to make ends meet to survive. Reflecting on my mother’s journey of hardships from Vietnam, I see how her experiences have shaped the strong-willed individual she came to be. By openly sharing her stories, she taught me values that I hold dear to me today. I greatly appreciate the opportunities bestowed on me because they were striped from my mother. Initially, I did not recognize the importance of an education, but as I grew up I realized not to take it for granted. I work diligently in my economic studies since my mother was never of given the chance to pursue her educational goals. Another principle I believe in is the value of family. My mother was never alone in making her escape from Vietnam. She always had my aunt to support her. My mother would repeatedly remind my brother, sister, and I to be an inseparable team. If one of us stumbles, the others would be by the fallen one’s side to help him/her to recovery. Lastly, the most important value I inherited from my mother is to be courageous and to have perseverance. Our pasts help sculpt the individuals we are today. While Vietnam did have a dark history, we can remove the painful thorns and heal from the wounds. What remains are the permanent marks that remind us that we prevailed and that we are strong.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Greatland Investment Scholarship Winner : Jenny Le (Cambridge, Massachusetts) Jenny is currently a student at Harvard University pursuing a B.A. Degree in Government, Secondary in Economics & East Asian Studies. She was the Vẻ Vang Dân Việt Co-Chair in 2011 for VCSA and the TOPS Program Manager. She also served as the Scholarship Chair/Public Relations Officer for the Intercollegiate Vietnamese Student Association (IVSA) and the IVSA Liaison for the Harvard Vietnamese Association. She is looking forward to not only learning from the workshops at camp, but also to learn from the experiences of her fellow campers so that she can come out as a stronger leader to make an impact in her community.
The concept of Vietnam is a hazy one – what does a nation mean? What does a person represent? When I think of Vietnam, I think of the essence of being Vietnamese-American. It’s tough to be born in two cultures and constantly feel like you never truly belong in a place. Vietnam for me is an exoticized place where my parents lived and breathed: where life was much simpler and you would marry the person in the same neighborhood that you grew up with. Vietnam for me is the land of hot tropical places where my parent’s palates will eat mắm ruốc but cannot adjust to foods such as Indian food in Texas. Vietnam for me is a land where my parents left to start a new life in America because they could not bear the political repression and societal changes that rocked the nation in the 1970s. I visited Vietnam this past January and experienced a nation, a neighborhood, a people that were not much different from my aunts and cousins: they spoke the same language (albeit much better than I did) and had the same music and food tastes, but there was something different. That difference was in the standard of living. I’ve always watched UNICEF and other non-profit videos with a healthy amount of skepticism: what can my measly $25 do to help end poverty in Nigeria or make a water well in India? But when I went back to Vietnam, I could see first-hand the lack of ambition and resources needed for a better life. A girl in the neighborhood was only expected to bear children and take care of the house because she only had an 8th grade education. Her father’s excuse for not sending her to school was because they lived too far and she was not good at riding her bike. Another lady, much older, had been blind for a year because of cataracts and despite the fact that a clinic in the next town would perform the operation for free; she still had not gone because she did not have the money or resources to travel. My mom, being the kind-hearted person she is, lectured the girl’s father to continue letting her go to school (to no avail). My mom also provided money to the older woman to get the eye surgery and within a week she was able to see out of one eye again. After this trip, Vietnam for me is no longer an exotic, out-of-touch place that my parents mention. Vietnam is a vibrant developing country that needs to find its niche in the world to help its people live better lives. As a student right now, my contribution of $25 or $50 is no longer seen as unnecessary or useless: I’ve been able to see how my mom’s gift of $50 has literally given the gift of sight back to a woman. I’ve resolved to become a business leader to be able to make changes not for just one or two people, but for all 87 million people through microloans to allow entrepreneurs to pull themselves out of debt. I’m in favor of starting a microloan business to let people put their skills to the test in terms of earning money whether that be through purchasing more productive farm tools, to financing their education, or to buying a cow to raise and sell for more money later. Vietnam for me is not just about being Vietnamese-American: it’s also about its people. The change I want to bring is to its people.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
SCHOLARSHIPS
What does Vietnam mean to you? How do you see yourself contributing to Vietnam in the future?
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Catherine Tran Charity Fund Scholarship Winner 1 : Trevor Duong (Surrey, BC) Trevor is student at Simon Fraser University. This past year, he served as the Treasurer for the SFU Vietnamese Student Association and co-chaired for the SAP Vancouver Intern Committee. In 2011, he co-founded the Hugs for Japan Tsunami Relief and executed an event for 200 people to fundraise $2000 for the cause. He also had experiences as a Youth Service Officer of the Service Canada Centres for Youth, equipping the youth with interview and writing skills for job search. This will be Trevor 1st experience at Len Duong Camp where he hopes to make new friendships and obtain leadership skills. Finally, he is looking forward to opportunities where he can contribute to the camp by sharing his experience being an IT Industry Project Manager.
Creating Impact through Volunteering
SCHOLARSHIPS
Depending on the angle in which it is being referred to, volunteering has different purposes for me. Three key reasons for volunteering include: to increase the livelihood of other individuals or organizations, to expand my own personal network and impact circle, and to add value and happiness to the general public community. Although seemingly different, these three reasons for volunteering are interconnected, and volunteering typically refers to two or even all three of points listed above. Volunteering in the Vietnamese community is especially important to me because I desire to help my community in order to foster personal and professional growth among young and emerging Vietnamese leaders. One compelling aspect of volunteering is the connections created with peers who would never normally meet during their daily activities. For example, in homeless shelters, struggling people interact with industry professionals on a personal level through the exchange of goods and goodwill. A key reason that I volunteer my time and services is because I believe my experiences add value to the events in which I am involved with. My personal philosophy is to strive to add value and impact to my surrounding environment. On another note, volunteering adds value to the greater community through the tacit knowledge and experience of the volunteers. With regards to the benefits of volunteering in the Vietnamese community, this builds a strong network of professionals and experiences. As globalization continues to flourish, there is a growing momentum of Vietnamese graduates who move onto the professional world in a variety of reputable industries. Volunteering together with other Vietnamese students will further unite our young generation, enabling us to do anything we put our minds and hearts to. The most exciting aspect of volunteering in the Vietnamese community is seeing the potential for greater collaborations and larger events that can satisfy all parties involved. I want to make those connections now to lead the Vancouver Vietnamese community to its peak performance in the future.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Catherine Tran Charity Fund Scholarship Winner 2 : Kim Nguyen (Vancouver, BC)
“One of the communities that I focused my volunteering efforts on was the Vietnamese community. The main reason behind this decision was to become more connected to my heritage and to interact with people of the same ethnicity other than my parents. I respect what my parents try to teach me and it is my natural sense of curiosity to always try to compare their teachings with other Vietnamese people. Throughout my mission to become more involved with the Vietnamese community, I volunteered and took on roles like organizing an entertainment segment for the Vietnamese people during my local Lunar’s New Year annual celebrations, and translating for those who need help with their daily activities like banking and government paperwork…” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tony Toan Nguyen Memorial Scholarship Winner : Thao Nguyen (Calgary, Alberta)
Thao is studying at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. She is the Marketing and Membership Director-Board Member for the Calgary Vietnamese Youth Association since 2011. She is also the President of the VietSAIT Student Club. Thao has only lived in Canada for less than 3 years. This will be her first Len Duong experience. She is excited to meet new friends. Teamwork, determination, interdependence, and strategies will be her focus for this camp to discover more about others and herself.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Kim is a student at Sauder School of Business. She is the student intern for the Colliers International and the GWL Realty Advisors. She was the President for the Pacific Northwest Economic Conference in 2011. This past year, she served as the External Vice President for the UBC Real Estate Club and as the Program Coordinator the Vietnamese Youth & Professionals. At this year’s Len Duong Camp, she looks forward to sharing about her mentorship program that she has developed with the grant provided through the New Moon Foundation Be The Change Scholarship.
“Volunteer service has always been my interest through my 20 years of life. Volunteer, technically, is an opportunity to give back to community, befriend with other people as well as to build up essential skills needed in future career such as teamwork, leadership and problem solving. However, the route to volunteer service might have had a little bit different starting point, which gave it a different meaning..”
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Len Duong 2013 Logo Contest Winner: Monica Nguyen (Mississauga, Onterio, CAN)
Monica Nguyen is an Vietnamese-Canadian artist. She learned that art, in which it is made, reflects the society and culture. She is a Graduate of Sheridan College’s Visual Creative and Arts Program where she studied drawing, sculpting, and graphic design.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Presently, Monica is a student in Seneca’s Game Art and Animation program to become an Game Artist. She enjoys creating art because to her it is a way of expression with no limitation. Check out her artwork at monicanguyen.foliohd.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dennis Vu Scholarship Winner : Yvonne Luong (Arlington, TX) After her first Len Duong Camp in 2011, Yvonne became an active member of VCSA and is currently the Secretary of VCSA-DFW Chapter. This past year, she served as the Vice President for the Asian Student Association at her school and is the Social Chairman for the Girl’s group at Lien Hoa Temple. Yvonne is currently pursuing Nursing at the University of Dallas. At this year’s Len Duong Camp, Yvonne is looking forward to building strong-lasting friendships as well as harvesting the skillsets to becoming a more effective leader.
Volunteering from the Heart Ever since I was a little girl, my dad always told me, “Volunteering should come from the heart.” Being the stubborn person that I am, I really wasn’t sure what my dad meant by this. Doesn’t volunteering already imply that it is already from the heart? Not necessarily. Out of all of the countless hours that I have spent volunteering, the services that seem most rewarding to me were the causes that I am deeply passionate about. Moreover, the act of service towards a cause that I genuinely care about feels even more worthwhile because it becomes beneficial towards the cause both passionately and effectively. In addition, by volunteering from the heart, benefits are shared between both the community and the volunteers. So, even though volunteering can generally be stated as a good thing, volunteering from the heart shows a more meaningful and beneficial effect towards society. In addition, by volunteering from the heart it opens up a twoway street, in which provides improvement within the community and even allows volunteers to become better citizens.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Saigon Eggroll Scholarship Winner : Jennifer Nguyen (Little Canada, Minnesota) Jennifer is currently studying Psychology & Communication. She is an active leader at her church from being the Sunday School Teacher Assistant, fundraising for the cause of Stop Human Trafficking, to being the Head of the Childhood Department for the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Leader. 2012 was her first Len Duong experience. At this year’s camp, Jennifer expects food, a bed, air conditioning, a place to take care of business, and a chance to use her French and to develop her Canadian accent.
Growing up as an egocentric child, all the problems that were important were mine; I failed a test, my parents are divorced, my mom has a tumor, the problems never cease to stop. With volunteering, it changes my selfish behavior. It provides an opportunity for me to be able to serve a cause greater than myself. From the many blessings I have personally received throughout my life, volunteering is a way to give back to my community. Your service reflects on your character, and that is your legacy. It is no longer about what you need or want, it’s about how you sacrifice your time and effort to help someone else in need. Why did I choose to place my service to the Vietnamese community? “Xin chào các em, hôm nay for the lesson chị chỉ nói tiếng Việt thôi” some kid’s faces light up, other kids are just excited and awaited to see me fail, but the majority of them say “Noooooooooo! I don’t understand…” and that is why I am active in my Vietnamese community; to be able to preserve and enlighten my youth kids and myself of our heritage. Of course, given that the kids are only 6-9 years old, they are still developing of their sense of culture. Yet, what if this was to develop into their adult life; to be oblivious to the history and culture of the blood that runs through their vein. I have been blessed to be given the opportunity to immerse in the elegancy of Vietnam, and experience its raw culture. My intention is to be able to have the kids not only be informed culturally but also live by it. The philosophy of the Vietnamese culture is beautiful, to sacrifice for the sake of others and that is why I whole-heartedly engage in sacrificing my time and effort for the benefit of my peers.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
SCHOLARSHIPS
Blood, History, and Love
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Mona Foundation Civic Leadership Scholarship Announcement What: Mona Foundation Civic Leadership Scholarships Award: Two (2) scholarships, certificate and $1,000.00 USD Eligibility Criteria: - Recipient must be present at the camp in 2013 and must make every effort to return to the camp in year 2014. - Must plan to attend Len Duong Camp 2014 to share the result with other campers. - Must demonstrate a strong application of lessons and skills learned from camp to delivering a service project to the applicant’s respective local community. - The proposed project must be completed after participating in the current Camp Len Duong 2013 and prior to attending Camp Len Duong 2014.
MONA FOUNDATION
Purpose: MONA Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting grassroots educational initiatives and raising the status of women and girls worldwide. MONA Foundation Founding Board Director, Ms. Duy-Loan Le, is offering this contest to all Len Duong campers and staff members attending the current year camp. All campers and staffers are encouraged to apply for this award by featuring an innovative community service project that is initiated and led by the applicant and is expected to resolve an outstanding issue or challenge in his or her chosen local community. The contestant must clearly describe what she/he has learned from Len Duong camps that she/he could apply to this project and be able to deliver the project successfully. The MONA FOUNDATION CIVIC LEADERSHIP scholarship is done in partnership with Sunflower Mission, a 501(c)3 organization co-founded by Ms. Duy-Loan Le in 2002 to provide educational assistance for students in Vietnam. Application Requirements: 1. Complete and submit a scholarship application (form will be available from the Len Duong camp web site) 2. Submit a personal resume detailing background, field of interest, demonstrating leadership ability and current active involvement with the community 3. Submit a project proposal describing in writing maximum 5 pages, double-spaced, font size 12 describing the following: - The problem/challenge/issue to be addressed - Solution to be implemented - Method of implementation with a projected timeline - How to measure the success of the project - A list of references with contact information 4. Once received the scholarship, after implementing the project, a final report will need to be submitted and must include the following: - Was the project successfully completed? Why or why note? - Lessons learned and things to be done differently - Was the scholarship helpful to the recipient? Why or why not? - What did the recipient learn about oneself while working with the project? - Any other comment recipient wishes to share Application Submission: After completing all the application requirements, submit all documentation as individual attachments in one (1) email to MonaFoundationscholarship@vcsa.org with subject heading: “Your Last Name – 2013 Mona Foundation Scholarship Contest.” The winning essay will be published in Len Duong camp program book and the winner will be asked to share with campers his/her project that will be featured.
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VCSA Times 2012
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Be the Change New Moon Foundation Scholarship
VCSA partners with New Moon Foundation to grant scholarships, $1000 each, to those Len Duong camper alumni who want to implement what they learn from the camp to serve the local communities. Please join VCSA to congratulate the following 3 winners of the 2012 Be The change – New Moon Foundation Scholarship. We look forward to hearing from them to report the great impacts they made at their local communities. Bao Tran Huynh (Houston, Texas), currently serve as president of Len Duong Bonfire Passion. She will implement a series of workshops promoting GRACE values education and promotion in the Vietnamese American teens and young adults in the Vietnamese community in Houston and Vicinity.
Kim Nguyen (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), currently a senior student at University of British Columbia, majored in business. She will implement a Vietnamese Youth Mentorship program and help promoting GRACE values through this program. The mentoring program will serve the Vietnamese youth in the greater area of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Frank Huynh (Washington, DC), currently an active member of the Vietnamese Student Association at George Washington University. He will implement a college preparation conference for all high school students and help to promote GRACE values throughout the conference.
We also acknowledge the great impacts from the previous 5 Be The Change winners with the 5 community projects: First-Step camp delivered in August 2012 in Toronto, Canada by Tho Pham; the Educational workshop delivered in the spring of 2012 by Jenny Le in Boston, Massachuset; the Voter Registration Drive delivered in early 2012 by Cindy Dinh in Houston, Texas; the Teen Safety Driving campaign delivered in the fall of 2011; the spring of 2012 by Phong Le with Len Duong Bonfire Passion team and Quynh Anh Nguyen, who delivered the Len Duong Pendulum project: Career Day, Dragon Summit and Educational event in Dallas / Fort Worth areas.
GRACE EDUCATION FUND
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
“This year, the GRACE Education Fund will offer the 3 Be The Change Scholarships to all past Len Duong campers and staff who have a project to implement GRACE values in their local community. More information about the scholarships will be posted on Len Duong camp web site after the In 2013, VCSA will more deliver information its 16h Annual Leadership camp. Please check at Youth www.lenduongcamp.org and click on Be The Change ScholCamp Len Duong at Crieff Hill Retreat and Conference Center at arship link.
Len Duong 2013 Announcement
Puslinch, Ontario, Canada from June 28 – July 1, 2013. Online
Registration will to be acknowledge available in January 2013. VCSA-Toronto VCSA would like GRACE Education Fund to continue this meaningful program for Len chapter will be2013 the host for this camp in 2013. Please check our Duong Camp alumni.” web site at www.lenduongcamp.org for available scholarships and more information.
BE THE CHANGE
We greatly appreciate the relationship with New Moon Foundation to make all of this wonderful program possible.
VCSA Board of Directors and Executive Board
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
LEN DUONG BONFIRE PASSION (LDBP) www.lenduongbonfire.org info@lenduongbonfire.org
LEN DUONG BONFIRE PASSION
• Leadership & Communication Workshops • Cultural Awareness Activities • Community Service Activities
Len Duong Bonfire Passion’s mission is to promote leadership, culture and communication. We strive to bridge the gap and barriers between Vietnamese youth’s culture, identity and diversity issues through workshops and outreach programs. LDBP’s goal is to also promote and bring awareness to VCSA’s National Youth Leadership Camp and provide financial assistance through grants and scholarships. Through LDBP fundraising efforts, we were able to bring 18 campers to Len Duong Camp in Canada: LDBP 2012-2013 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: Anne Le (Calgary, AB, Canada) Jaclyn Nguyen (Houston, Texas, USA) Kim Cuc Ngo (Roxbury, MA, USA) Huong Vo (Kitchener, ON, Canada) Michelle Tram Tran (Surrey, BC, Canada) LDBP 2012-2013 TOP ACTIVE MEMBERS Chi Duong (Houston, Texas, USA) Duy Ngo (Houston, Texas, USA) Thien-Tri Nguyen (Houston, Texas, USA) Van Anh Pham (Houston, Texas, USA) Viet Van (Houston, Texas, USA)
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• Fundraiser for Len Duong Camp Scholarships • Youth Outreach Programs • Safe Driving Campaign: “Don’t Text & Drive”
LDBP 2012-2013 EXECUTIVE BOARD Baotran Huynh|President Tengah Nguyen|Vice President BaoTran Ma|Secretary Nghia Nguyen|Vice President of Membership Quynh-Vy Nguyen|Treasurer Tina Au|Vice President of Media Marketing Jessica Ma|Vice President of Public Relations Hy Phan|Vice President of Operations
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP G.R.A.C.E. (Gratitude, Respect, Accountability, Courage, Engagement) PROJECT
LEN DUONG BONFIRE PASSION
Honored to be one of the New Moon Foundation scholarship recipients, LDBP proudly coordinates the G.R.A.C.E. project which promotes and advocates for applying G.R.A.C.E. values into daily life among young adults through a developmental workshop. The workshop is presented by Dr. Truong Duy Nong, executive director of ICEVN. Participants in the project will learn about the 5 important G.R.A.C.E. values and are strengthened by an action plan. The project will have follow-up activities on social media sites where participants are invited to share and implement G.R.A.C.E. and how it affects his/her life.
“Fuel Up, Fire Up, and Spread the Bonfire Passion” by joining LDBP!
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP FIVE THOUSAND YEARS OF VIETNAMESE CULTURE Historians generally share a common view that Vietnam was born out of a fairly sophisticated cultural community which was formed around the first half of the first millennium B.C.E. and flourished in the middle of that millennium. That was Đông Sơn cultural community. This culture attained a degree of development higher than that of others in the region at that time. It had its own characteristics but still bore the features of Southeast Asian culture because of the common South Asian racial root (Southern Mongoloid) and the water rice culture. Different developmental routes of local cultures in various areas (in the deltas of Hồng (Red) river, Mã (Horse) river, Cả river and so on...) joined together to form Dong Son culture. This period marked a very “embryonic” state of a nation later called Vietnam, which was existing in the form of inter- and super-village community. The “embryonic” tribes had their autonomy but would come together in times of regional crises, specifically to resist foreign invaders or to build and maintain dikes for rice cultivation. This geopolitical philosophy served as a back bone of Vietnam’s political policy throughout most of its 5,000 year history.
VIETNAMESE CULTURE
The period that was considered the first apogee in the history of the Vietnamese culture known as Văn Lang – Âu Lạc culture began around 3 millennia B.C.E. This period, popularly regarded as an era of 18 Hùng Vương kings, lasted around 3,000 years and was typified by the Đông Sơn bronze drums and stable techniques of cultivating water rice. The beginning of the first millennium A.D. also marked the beginning of a 1,000 year occupation by China. The post-Chinese domination period was characterized by the two parallel trends, Han assimilation and anti-Han assimilation. This was a second apogee of the Vietnamese culture represented by Ly, Tran and Le Dynasties during which the Vietnamese culture underwent a comprehensive restoration heavily influenced by Buddhism and Taoism. Four centuries of peace ended with another short-lived Chinese invasion, which was followed by a period of civil war most notably by Trịnh and Nguyễn feudal lords. In the late 18th century, in one of the most spectacular show of force, the Tây Sơn led by King Quang Trung reunited the country. After the Nguyễn Dynasty, Vietnam’s last monarchy, took control of the nation, they tried to restore the Confucian culture but failed because by then the appeal of Western culture introduced by the French had already begun to penetrate Vietnamese society. A century of French domination was marked by a cultural mix which consisted of two opposite trends – Europeanization and anti-Europeanization – which represented the underlying colonialist and patriotic sentiments respectively. From the 1930’s, a modern Vietnamese culture was beginning to assume and incorporate new characters with increasingly intensive integration into world modern civilization. It can be said that there were three layers of culture overlapping each other during the history of Vietnam: local culture, the culture that was mixed with those of China and other countries in the region, and the culture that interacted with Western cultures. The most prominent feature of the Vietnamese culture is that it has been able to resist wholesale assimilation of foreign cultures thanks to the strong local cultural foundations. On the contrary, Vietnamese have selectively utilized those foreign cultures to enrich theirs, while maintaining their national cultural identity.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
Vietnamese culture emerges from a concrete living environment: a tropical country with many rivers and a confluence of great cultures. The natural environment (temperature, humidity, monsoon, water-flows, water-rice agriculture etc.) exerts a remarkable influence on the material and spiritual life of the nation, as well as the characteristics and psychology of its people. Social and historical conditions may have also played a significant role in the shaping of national psychology. Though sharing the same Southeast Asian cultural origin, the Vietnamese culture distinguishes itself because of the long exposure to those of China and France. This may explain the distinct cultural differences between Vietnam and other water-rice cultures like Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, and India etc. The followings are an overview of major cultural aspects: 1. PHILOSOPHY AND IDEOLOGIES
Later, Vietnamese society and culture were enriched by the influence of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, all of which were conciliated and Vietnamized. Particularly, the ZenBuddhists during the Ly and Tran Dynasties earned historical acclaim for their own original and distinguished interpretation of Buddhist philosophies (i.e. Heart-Buddha, being-not being, lifedeath.) Although Confucianism flourished afterward, many famous Vietnamese Confucians did not strictly follow Confucianism and Mencianism, but rather adopted the spirit of Buddhism and Taoism to make their ideology more open, closer to the people and more harmonious with nature. The policy that facilitated agriculture and restrained trade, popular in the Nguyen Dynasty, perhaps blocked the development of city-dweller's consciousness according to some historians. In the past, Vietnamese generally ranked agriculture and education as their first and second priorities of occupations, while having a low opinion of the business class. Other trades including cultural activities were regarded with rather low priorities.
VIETNAMESE CULTURE
At the start, with primitive and rudimentary cognition of materialism and dialectics, Vietnamese thinking and beliefs appeared inseparable. However, Vietnam’s affinity to agriculture as opposed to the nomadic culture predisposed it towards the appreciation of stillness over movement. More dependent on natural phenomena, the Vietnamese philosophy paid special attention to relations that was typified by doctrine of Yin and Yang and the five basic elements (not exactly the same as the Chinese doctrine) and manifested in the moderate lifestyle tending towards harmony.
The agricultural society was characterized by a village community with many primitive vestiges that formed the specific characteristics of the Vietnamese. Those were the thoughts of dualism, a concrete way of thinking that was tilted to emotional experiences rather than rationalism, and images rather than concepts. However, it was also a flexible, adaptable, and conciliatory way of thinking. This way of thinking highly valued emotional ties to relatives and the community (because "there would be no home in a lost country" and "the whole village rather than a sole roof would be engulfed by flood"). This was also a way of behaving toward conciliatory, equilibrium and relations-based settlement of conflicts and disputes. “Suppleness to prevail over firmness and weakness over strength” this practical philosophy allowed Vietnam to cope accordingly with difficult situations and to do so successfully many times in Vietnam’s history. Vietnamese highly appreciated "Benevolence" which was viewed in close association with “Righteousness” and “Virtues” such that life without benevolence and righteousness was tantamount to one without virtues. Nguyen Trai, a foremost scholar in the 15th century, once described the Vietnamese concept of Benevolence and Righteousness as the opposition to fierce violence, which became an integral part of the foundation for the policy of fighting foreign invaders as well as ruling the country. Vietnamese understood that loyalty meant being loyal to the nation as opposed to loyalty to a ruler, and respected piety without being so bound with the framework of family. Happiness was also among the top social values; people often make compliments on the happiness of a family rather than wealth and social position.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP 2. CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES In the old days, the Vietnamese eating habit tends towards vegetarianism; rice and vegetables are the center of the meal that may be diversified by aquatic products. They preferred boiling as a cooking method and synthetic food processing style that involves many materials and ingredients. Today, although meat and fish have become a larger part of typical meal, Vietnamese do not forget pickled egg-plant. In the past, Vietnamese preferred to wear light, thin, well-ventilated kind of clothing that originated from plants and was suitable for such a tropical country as Vietnam, with gray, indigo and black colors. Men’s clothing changed from loin-cloth with bare upper half of the body to short jackets and Vietnamese traditional trousers (re-designed from Chinese trousers). Women often wore brassieres, skirts and four-piece long dresses that were later modified to the modern áo dài. In general, Vietnamese women adorned themselves subtly and secretively in a society where “virtue is more important than appearance.” They generally enjoyed kerchiefs, hats and belts.
VIETNAMESE CULTURE
The old-style Vietnamese house was related to the watery environment (stilted house with curved roof). Also popular were thatch-roofed houses with clay walls, which were built mostly from wood and bamboo. This kind of house did not stand too high to avoid high winds and storms, and more importantly, the house should face to the South direction to be free from hot and cold weathers. The interior of the house was also not so spacious to leave room for the courtyard, pond, and garden. Also, Vietnamese thought that “spacious home was no better than sufficient food.” Sizable ancient architectures were often built shrouded and in harmony with natural environment. The traditional means of transport is waterways. Ship of all types together with the river and the wharf are familiar images. Vietnamese customs of weddings, funerals, holidays and rituals all are attached to village community. Marriages not only reflect the lovers’ desire but also had to meet the interests of the family lines, the village; thus, the choice for future bride or bridegroom was done very carefully, which had to go through many formalities from the plighting ceremony, the official proposal to the bride’s family, the wedding to the marriage tie, the ritual of sharing bridal cup of wine, the newly-weds’ first visit to the bride’s family. To be accepted as a new member of the village, the bride sometimes had to pay a fine to the village. Funeral service is also proceeded very thoroughly to express the grief and see off the relative into the other world. In time of grievances, the family of the deceased is often provided help by its neighbors rather than having to manage it by themselves. Vietnam is a country of festivities which take place all year round, especially in spring when there is little farm work. The major festivities are Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year, ) MidFirst month , Hàn Thực (cold food) , Đoan Ngọ (double five) , Mid-Seventh month , Mid-Autumn Festival, Ông Táo (the God of the kitchen.) Each region has its own ritual holidays, the most important of which are agricultural rituals (praying for rain, getting down to the rice field, and new rice...) and trade’s rituals (copper casting, forging, making fire crackers, and boat racing...) Besides, there are also rituals dedicated to national heroes and religious and cultural services. Ritual holidays are usually divided into two parts: a spiritual part consisting of blessings or thanksgivings, and cultural part involving the community with many folk games and contests.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP 3. LANGUAGES There are many theories regarding the origin of the Vietnamese language. The most persuasive one argues that the Vietnamese language previously belonged to the Mon-Khmer group of the Southeast Asian linguistic system. It was later transformed into Viet-Muong language (or old Vietnamese language) and then separated to form the modern Vietnamese language. In the modern Vietnamese language, many words have been proven to contain Mon-Khmer roots and to be phonetically and semantically relevant to the Muong language.
In the 17th century, for the purpose of evangelism and possible political motivations, some Western missionaries including Alexandre de Rhodes in collaboration with some Vietnamese created a new national language which was a combination of the native Vietnamese spoken language and Latin alphabets. This new national language offered the advantages of simple figure, composition, spelling and pronunciation facilitating the development of the modern Vietnamese prose, which could then be a conduit of influence from the West. In late 19th century, publications were published in the National language characters. The Vietnamese language is characterized by mono-phonology with a concrete, abundant, acoustic vocabulary and a proportionate, rhythmical, lively, flexible, symbolic and emotional way of expression, which tremendously facilitates artistic and literary creation. The Vietnamese dictionary published by the Center of Lexicography in 1997 consists of 38,410 entries. 4. ARTS Vietnam has some 50 musical instruments, most popular, diverse and long-lasting of which are percussion instruments, such as Trống Đồng (copper drums), Cồng Chiêng (gongs), Đàn Đá (lithophone), Đàn T’rưng... Wind instruments are represented by flutes and pan-pipes while string instruments are represented by Đàn Bầu (one string sitar) and Đàn Nhị.
VIETNAMESE CULTURE
Throughout a millennium of Chinese occupation and under the Vietnamese feudal dynasties, the official language was the Han, but the Vietnamese always demonstrated its strength for self-preservation and development. The Han language was pronounced in the Vietnamese way, called the Han-Viet way of pronunciation, and Vietnamized in various ways to create many commonly used Vietnamese words. In the 13th century, the diverse development of the Vietnamese language popularized a system of unique writing of the Vietnamese language on the basis of the Han characters, called the Nôm character.
The Vietnamese folk songs are rich in forms and melodies of regions across the country, ranging from Ngâm thơ (poetry recitation,) Hát Ru (lullaby), Hò (chanty) to Hát Quan Họ, Trống Quân, ca Huế, ca Chòi... Apart from this, there are also other forms like Hát Xẩm, Chầu Văn and Ca Trù. Traditional performing arts include Chèo and Tuồng. Water-puppet opera, the most unique form of Vietnamese artistry was popularized in the Ly Dynasty. At the start of the 20th century, Cải Lương (reformed theatre) appeared in Cochin china with melodies of vọng cổ. The Vietnamese acoustic arts generally have symbolic, expressive and emotional features. Traditional stage relates closely to the audience and is a combination of music and dance forms. The Vietnamese dance has few strong and tough actions, but contains many smooth and curling features with closed feet and a lot of arm-dancing actions. In Vietnam, the arts of sculpturing on stone, copper and baked clay came into existence very early, dating back to the 10,000 B.C. Later, enameled ceramics, wooden statues, shell-encrusted pictures, lacquers, silk- made pictures and paper-made pictures all attained high degree of artistic sophistication. The Vietnamese plastic arts focus on expressing innermost feelings with simplified forms using many methods of stylization and emphases.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP VIỆT NAM VIỆT NAM
VIỆT NAM QUÊ HƯƠNG NGẠO NGHỄ
Việt Nam, Việt Nam nghe từ vào đời. Việt Nam hai câu nói trên vành môi. Việt Nam nước tôi. Việt Nam, Việt Nam tên gọi là người. Việt Nam hai câu nói sau cùng khi lìa đời.
Ta như nước dâng, dâng chẳng có bao giờ tàn. Đường dài ngút ngàn chỉ một trận cười vang vang. Lê sâu bàn chân gông cùm một thời xa xăm. Đôi mắt ta rực sáng theo nhịp xích kêu loàng xoàng.
Việt Nam đây miền xinh tươi. Việt Nam đem vào sông núi. Tự Do Công Bình Bác Ái muôn đời. Việt Nam không đòi xương máu. Việt Nam kêu gọi thương nhau. Việt Nam đi xây đắp yên vui dài lâu.
CAMP SONGS
Việt Nam trên đường tương lai, Lửa thiêng soi tồn thế giới. Việt Nam ta nguyền tranh đấu cho đời. Tình yêu đây là khí giới. Tình thương đem về muôn nơi. Việt Nam đây tiếng nói đi xây tình người. Việt Nam! (Muôn năm! Muôn năm!) Việt Nam! (Muôn năm! Muôn năm!) Việt Nam! Quê hương đất nước sáng ngời. Việt Nam! (Muôn năm! Muôn năm!) Việt Nam! (Muôn năm! Muôn năm!) Việt Nam! Muôn đời!
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Ta khua xích kêu vang dậy trước mặt mọi người. Nụ cười muôn đời là một nụ cười không tươi. Nụ cười xa vời, nụ cười của lòng hờn sôi. Bước tiến ta tràn tới tung xiềng vào mặt nhân gian. ĐK: Máu ta từ thành Văn Lang dồn lại. Xương da thịt này cha ôngmiệt mài. Từng giờ qua, cười ngạo nghễ đi trong đau nhức khôn nguôi. Chúng ta thành một đoàn người hiên ngang, Trên bàn chông hát cười đùa vang vang. Còn Việt Nam, triệu con tim này còn triệu khối kiêu hùng. Ta như giống dân đi tràn trên lò lửa hồng. Mặt lạnh như đồng cùng nhìn về một xa xăm. Da chan mồ hôi nhễ nhại cuộn vòng gân tươi. Ôm vết thương rỉ máu ta cười dưới ánh mặt trời. Ta khuyên cháu con ta còn tiếp tục làm người. Làm người huy hoàng phải chọn làm người dân Nam. Làm người ngang tàng điểm mặt mày của trần gian. Hỡi những ai gục xuống ngoi dậy hùng cường đi lên.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP LÀM GIÓ TUNG CỜ Đừng làm áng mây trời một đời bay mãi chơi vơi. Đừng làm áng mây trời một đời theo gió ngàn nơi. Thà làm áng mây trời một ngày che mát quê tôi. Thà làm áng mây trời một ngày mưa xuống ơn đời. Thà làm áng mây trời, làm áng mây trời về đến bên người. Thà làm áng mây trời, làm áng mây trời dịu mát môi cười.
Đừng làm nước ao tù, một đời rêu bám thâm u. Đừng làm nước ao tù, một đời soi bóng sầu tư. Thà làm nước xuôi giòng nhịp nhàng đưa sóng trào dâng. Thà làm nước xuôi giòng nhịp nhàng đơm lúa thơm nồng. Thà làm nước xuôi giòng, làm nước xuôi giòng vùng vẫy oai hùng. Thà làm nước xuôi giòng, làm nước xuôi giòng ngọt lúa thơm nồng. Đừng làm kiếp con người một đời như đám rong trôi. Đừng làm kiếp con người một đời ôm bóng sầu khơi. Thà làm kiếp con người một ngày tranh đấu mê say. Thà làm kiếp con người một ngày nhưng sống muôn ngày. Thà làm kiếp con người dù sống một ngày nhưng sống mê say. Thà làm kiếp con người dù sống một giờ làm gió tung cờ.
CAMP SONGS
Đừng làm cánh chim ngàn lạc rừng muôn kiếp lang thang. Đừng làm cánh chim ngàn muộn màng rung tiếng thở than. Thà làm cánh chim ngàn dọc ngang trên đất Việt nam. Thà làm cánh chim ngàn nhịp nhàng ca hát chung đoàn. Thà làm cánh chim ngàn, làm cánh chim ngàn bay khắp giang san. Thà làm cánh chim ngàn, làm cánh chim ngàn nhập bóng chung đoàn.
CHIA TAY Gặp nhau đây rồi chia tay. Ngày vàng như đã vụt qua trong phút giây. Niềm hăng say còn chưa phai. Đường trường sông núi hẹn mai ta sum vầy. Còn trong ta tình bao la. Cuộc tình chinh chiến bùng lên muôn ước mơ. Lời suy tư, lời đêm qua. Dặn lòng hãy nhớ lời yêu thương nhắn về.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP TUỔI TRẺ VIỆT NAM LÊN ĐƯỜNG Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam lên đường! Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam lên đường! Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam lên đường! Lên Đường!
CAMP SONGS
Này công dân ơi! Quốc gia đến ngày giải phóng Đồng lòng cùng đi hy sinh tiếc gì thân sống. Vì tương lai Quốc dân cùng xông pha khói tên, Làm sao cho núi sông từ nay luôn vững bền. Dù cho thây phơi trên gươm giáo. Thù nước lấy máu đào đem báo. Vì yêu thương quê nhà, vì yêu thương sơn hà, Nòi giống lúc biến phải cần giải nguy, Người thanh niên luôn vững bền tâm trí, Vì đau xót cha mẹ già và đàn em thơ. Hùng tráng quyết chiến đấu, làm cho khắp nơi Vì yêu thương muôn người, vì yêu thương Vang tiếng người nước nam cho đến muôn đời. giống nòi, Công dân ơi! Mau hiến thân dưới cờ. Công dân ơi! Mau làm cho cõi bờ, Toàn dân đứng lên đáp lời gọi của non sông. Thoát cơn tàn phá, vẻ vang nòi giống. Xứng danh nghìn năm nòi giống Lạc Hồng. Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam, minh châu trời đông! Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam, sáng danh Lạc Hồng. CÙNG QUÂY QUẦN Một lòng vì nước đấng anh hùng, Một đời son sắt khách má hồng Cùng quây quần ta vui vui vui. Toàn dân chung lòng, đuốc Nhân Quyền thắp Ta hát với nhau chơi chơi chơi. sáng non sông. Rồi lên tiếng reo cười cười cười. Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam quyết vùng lên Làm vui thú bao người người người. Độc tài phi nhân phải vùi thân Nhìn lên trời đầy sao sao sao. Nhưng không biết phương nao nao nao. Bạo quyền gian ác phải phơi xác dươi gươm Chợt trông thấy ông thần thần thần. anh hùng. Cài gươm báu bên mình mình mình. Hàng triệu bàn tay châm lửa thiêng Nào ai từng trông thấy thấy thấy. Hòa cùng nhịp tim, quên niềm riêng Nào ai dám reo vui vui vui Đồng lòng tranh đấu, đường quê với năm Được trông thấy con chuột chuột chuột. châu nối liền Thò đuôi ngoáy tai mèo mèo mèo. Ngọn lửa Mê Linh bập bùng, rừng già Lam Sơn chập chùng Này Bạch Đằng Giang, kia Vân Đồn sóng vỗ rền vang Là người Việt Nam kiên cường Là giòng Tiên Long can trường Tuổi trẻ Việt Nam - LÊN ĐƯỜNG! (Nhạc & Lời Nguyệt Ánh)
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QUỐC CA VIỆT NAM
Nào ta cùng đánh răng răng răng. Lau mặt mũi tay chân chân chân. Rồi ta nhớ chải đầu đầu đầu. Và ta quyết không hề buồn rầu. BỐN PHƯƠNG HỌP MẶT Bốn phương trời ta về đây chung vui. Không phân chia giọng nói tiếng cười. Cùng nắm tay ta kết tình thân ái. Trao cho nhau những gì mến thương. Trao cho nhau những gì mến thương.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP TÔI YÊU QUÊ TÔI Tôi yêu quê tôi, yêu lũy tre dài đẹp xinh. Yêu con sông xanh, yêu cát hoe vàng bên đình. Yêu trăng buông lơi trên má cô hàng đẹp xinh, Và yêu mấy nhịp cầu tre là đây đang dựng mùa hoa. Tôi yêu đơn sơ qua mái tranh nghèo mẹ quê. Yêu duyên nên thơ trong tiếng khoan hò ước thề. Yêu con đê xinh đưa lối qua chợ làng xưa, Và yêu mấy nhịp cầu tre là đây anh chờ em về. Kìa cùng đùa chơi, trẻ thơ ca hát say đời. Dù nghèo mà vui, hỏi ai không hé môi cười. Mưa nắng ơn trời, luống cày thắm đẹp lúa ngời. Xóm làng đón mùa chiêm mới, ấm no ấp ủ làng tôi.
TRỐNG CƠM Tình bằng có cái trống cơm, Khen ai khéo vỗ (ố mấy) bông nên bông - Ố mấy bông nên bông. Một đàn tang tình con nít - Một đàn tang tình con nít. Ố mấy lội, lội, lội sông, ố mấy đi tìm. Em nhớ thương ai, Đôi con mắt ố mấy lim dim Đôi con mắt ố mấy lim dim
CAMP SONGS
Tôi yêu quê tôi, yêu mãi bay giờ còn yêu. Yêu chim bay qua mang đến tin mừng thái hòa. Yêu anh, yêu em, yêu nước, yêu trời gần xa, Và yêu cánh đồng vời xa là đây anh chờ em về.
Một bầy tang tình con nhện ố ố ố ố mấy giăng tơ. Giăng tơ ố mấy đi tìm -Em nhớ thương ai Duyên nợ khách tang bồng - duyên nợ khách tang bồng. VỀ VỚI MẸ CHA Từ Nam Quan Cà Mau, từ non cao rừng sâu, gặp nhau cho non nước xây cầu Người thanh niên Việt Nam quay về với xóm làng tiếng reo vui rộn trong lòng ĐK: Cùng đi xây Trường Sơn cùng đi xây Hoành Sơn, cùng đi biến ruộng hoang ra lúa thơm. Vượt khơi ra đảo xa, lướt ngàn núi sông nhà, ta đắp bồi cho mẹ cha. Nhìn non sông tả tơi, tình quê hương đầy vơi, người thanh niên Việt Nam ngậm ngùi Chờ chi không vùng lên, thiết tha với dân lành cứ co ro ngồi sao đành? ĐK: Cùng đi xây Trường Sơn cùng đi xây Hoành Sơn, cùng đi biến ruộng hoang ra lúa thơm Vượt khơi ra đảo xa, lướt ngàn núi sông nhà, ta đắp bồi cho mẹ cha.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP ĐẾN VỚI QUÊ HƯƠNG TÔI Đến với quê hương tôi, nói với quê hương tôi, dù hờn căm còn đầy. Đến với quê hương tơi, nói với quê hương tôi, dù còn bao khổ đau. Đến với quê hương tôi, tương lai lo đền bồi, ruộng vườn cho lúa thêm mới. Đến với quê hương tôi, yêu thương như rạng ngời, nhà Việt Nam sướng vui. ĐK. Ánh sáng đã lan tới, sức sống đã vun xới, trên bao nỗi vui mừng. Quê hương tăm tối, quê hương sẽ đổi mới, quê hương sẽ yên vui. Đến với quê hương tôi, nói với quê hương tôi, dù gian nan còn nhiều. Đến với quê hương tôi, nói với quê hương tôi, miệt mài không hề nguôi. Đến với quê hương tôi, sông sâu không ngại ngùng, còn niềm tin sáng chói. Đến với quê hương tôi, đêm thâu không bão bùng, nụ cười luôn thắm trên môi. (Trở lại ĐK) Đến với quê hương tôi, nói với quê hương tôi, lời yêu thương đậm đà. Sống với quê hương tôi, chết với quê hương tôi, một ngày cho đời vui. Đến với quê hương tôi, vinh quang đang chờ người, nhọc nhằn ta quyết vươn tới. Sống với quê hương tôi, yêu thương như rạng ngời, hận thù mai sẽ vơi. GẦN NHAU
CAMP SONGS
ĐK: Gần nhau trao cho nhau yêu thương tình loài người. Gần nhau trao cho nhau tin yêu đừng gian dối. Gần nhau trao cho nhau ánh mắt nhân loại này. Tình yêu thương trao nhau xây đắp trên tình người. 1. Cho dù rừng thay lá xanh đi, cho dù biển cả có phân ly. Ta vẫn yêu thương nhau mãi mãi. (ĐK) 2. Cho dù đồi hay núi di đi, cho dù bầu trời thiếu mây bay. Ta vẫn yêu thương nhau mãi mãi. (ĐK) 3. Cho dù mùa xuân thiếu hoa tươi, cho dù rừng già thiếu muông chim. Ta vẫn yêu thương nhau mãi mãi. (ĐK) NHẢY LỬA Anh em ta mau cố chất cây khô vào đây đốt chung. Đêm khuya nghe tiếng tí tách cây khô nổ vang giữa rừng. Giang tay nhau đứng vòng quanh lửa hồng, trông khói xanh gió đưa bốc cao. Cùng cầm tay hát vang lừng, ta chúc lửa thiêng sáng tươi xua tan bóng đêm. Anh em ta đùa vui hăng hái. Hát cho đời vui vui thật là vui.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP OVERVIEW OF VIETNAMESE CULTURE AND SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Introduction The Vietnamese Culture and Science Association is a 501-c(3) non-profit Vietnamese American organization founded in 1990. It has over 600 members which consist of a majority of young Vietnamese American professionals in Houston and in other states of the US and Canada. The VCSA is based in Houston, Texas. Beside the Headquarter office in Houston, VCSA has eight other chapters located in Dallas, Austin, Texas; San Diego, California; Washington DC, Twin cities, Minnesota; Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Objectives Preserve and develop Vietnamese heritage and culture for the Vietnamese American young adults and Vietnamese descendants by establishing various programs and activities. Promote cooperation among Vietnamese American professionals in exchanging their skills, participating in the programs and activities to build a strong Vietnamese community in North America in general, and in Texas and other states of U.S. in particular. Encourage participation in community programs and activities and build a strong sense of civic responsibility among Vietnamese Americans. Collaborate with other Asian communities and the mainstream society. Activities and Programs: Organize quarterly general meeting to obtain inputs and ideas from members regarding programs and activities of the VCSA. Organize regular Vietnamese Literature, History classes for young Vietnamese Americans to learn more about the heritage language and Computer classes for the Vietnamese community. Organize monthly Toastmaster program to improve communication skills for members. Organize regular cultural events and participate in annual cultural events such as the American Asian Festival and the Mardi Gras Festival. Organize regular professional development workshops to discuss on Science and Technology topics and to share ideas and skills among the professionals. Organize Annual National Youth Leadership Development Camp “Len Duong”. Organize Annual Youth Excellence Recognition Luncheon. Participate in all community related activities such as charitable fund raising events, the Vietnamese New Year Festival, the Asian American Festival and other Asian communities’ events.
VCSA INTRODUCTION
Mission Statement Vietnamese Culture and Science Association promotes excellence in education, leadership and skills development through culture and science. Our organization encourages multi-generational and cross-cultural collaborations. We foster civic participation in the mainstream and Vietnamese America.
Contact Information Vietnamese Culture and Science Association 4615 Belle Park - Houston, Texas 77072 – (281) 933-8118 (phone) – (281) 933-8187 (fax) Email: vcsa@vcsa.org - Web page: http://www.vcsa.org Phone: (972) 539-3394 (Dallas-FW) - (703) 598-9676 (Washington DC) – (512) 288-7931 (Austin) - (619) 293-3273 (San Diego) – Toronto, Canada (416) 697-1472 - (763) 843-4472 (Minnesota)
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP GIỚI THIỆU VỀ HỘI VĂN HÓA KHOA HỌC VIỆT NAM Hội Văn Hóa Khoa Học Việt Nam (VHKHVN) là một tổ chức bất vụ lợi được thành lập từ năm 1990 tại Houston. Hiện nay HVHKHVN có hơn 600 hội viên, đa số là các chuyên viên trẻ cư ngụ tại thành phố Houston, Texas và tại các tiểu bang khác trên toàn Hoa Kỳ. Ngoài trung tâm sinh hoạt tại thành phố Houston, Hội còn có phân hội tại các thành phố Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Diego, Washington DC, Minnesota, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Hội VHKHVN được thành lập nhằm các mục đích sau: • Tạo sự thông cảm và hợp tác trong cộng đồng người Mỹ gốc Việt, đặc biệt trong hai phương diện văn hóa và khoa học. • Cung cấp một môi trường đa diện nơi các chuyên viên trẻ trao đổi ý kiến, chia sẻ kinh nghiệm, và tham dự vào việc xây dựng một cộng đồng Việt Nam vững mạnh tại hải ngoại. • Góp phần vào công cuộc tái thiết xứ sở sau khi các cơ chế dân chủ, tự do đã được bảo đảm và thực thi tại Việt Nam.
VCSA INTRODUCTION
Để đạt được các mục đích nêu trên, Hội VHKHVN đề ra các mục tiêu sau: • Khuyến khích sự hợp tác và trao đổi khả năng, kinh nghiệm giữa các chuyên viên Mỹ gốc Việt, qua sự tham gia vào các chương trình và sinh hoạt xây dựng cộng đồng VN vững mạnh tại Hoa Kỳ nói chung và tại Houston nói riêng. • Bảo tồn và phát huy văn hóa Việt Nam trong các chương trình và sinh hoạt định kỳ. • Khuyến khích sự tham gia vào các chương trình sinh hoạt cộng đồng, phát huy tinh thần trách nhiệm của giới trẻ đối với xã hội, cộng đồng và tổ quốc. • Tham dự hoặc hỗ trợ những sinh hoạt nhằm đòi hỏi một nền tự do và dân chủ chân chính cho Việt Nam. • Tham dự vào các sinh hoạt chung với cộng đồng bản xứ hoặc với các cộng đồng Á Châu hay sắc tộc khác. • Những mục tiêu trên đã và đang được thực hiện qua các chương trình sinh hoạt sau: • Tổ chức các phiên họp khoáng đại định kỳ mỗi tam cá nguyệt để các hội viên đóng góp ý kiến, hoặc đề nghị về các chương trình hay sinh hoạt của Hội. • Tham dự các chương trình, sinh hoạt về văn hóa thường niên như Asian American Festival và Mardi Gras Festival, hội chợ Tết Việt Nam. • Tổ chức các buổi hội thảo về các đề tài khoa học, kỹ thuật để chia sẻ kinh nghiệm giữa các hội viên • Tham dự vào các sinh hoạt cộng đồng khác như các chương trình gây quỹ từ thiện, hội chợ Tết Việt Nam, và các chương trình khác, như các lớp điện toán và văn chương, lịch sử. • Tổ chức các sinh hoạt nhằm phát triển khả năng sinh hoạt và tổ chức của hội viên như các chương trình của Nhóm Hùng Biện Việt Nam (Toastmaster group), chương trình Đêm Cà Phê, chương trình tổ chức trại hè phát triển kỹ năng về lãnh đạo toàn Bắc Mỹ “trại Lên Đường”. • Tổ chức Buổi tiệc tuyên dương học sinh xuất sắc mỗi năm qua chương trình Ngày Truyền Thống Hội VHKHVN. Muốn biết thêm chi tiết xin vui lòng liên lạc: Hội Văn Hóa Khoa Học Việt Nam 4615 Belle Park Dr. - Houston, Texas 77072 ĐT: (281) 933-8118 (Houston) -- (972) 539-3394 (Dallas) -- (512) 288-7931 (Austin) (619) 293-3273 (San Diego) -- DC (703) 598-9676 -Toronto (416) 697-1472 - (763) 843-4472 (Minnesota)
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Vietnamese Culture & Science Association – Toronto Chapter Hội Văn Hóa Khoa Học Việt Nam – Phân Hội Toronto
VCSA Toronto is the first Canadian chapter in the VCSA family. Our membership consists of young and dedicated Vietnamese-Canadian professionals, students, and active members of the community. VCSA Toronto’s main goals involve: • Promoting harmony and cooperation amongst the Vietnamese community, other Asian communities and with the mainstream society • Working collaboratively with other community organizations, agencies and outreach services in Toronto to better serve the local community • Providing a multi-faceted environment where young Vietnamese-Canadians can exchange ideas, share skills and participate in programs/activities to build a strong Vietnamese-Canadian community in the great Toronto area as well as in Canada and overseas. • Providing training opportunities for Vietnamese-Canadians to build a strong sense of responsibility, to develop their skills as future leaders and to become active citizens that positively contribute to the nation • Preserving the Vietnamese heritage among Vietnamese-Canadians and promoting cultural awareness to fellow Canadians through a variety of regular programs and activities • Promoting democracy and advocacy for human rights in Canada as well as in Vietnam through public awareness campaigns
----------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------2012 – 2013 Executive Board & Coordinators: 2012 – 2013 Advisors: President|Phạm Mai Quyên Vice President|Nguyễn Paul General Secretary|Vũ Trọng Bảo Treasurer|Lê Mai Phương Katherine Webmaster & Technical Coordinator|Phạm Minh Thi Culture Coordinator|Nguyễn Như Nhất Volunteer Coordinator|Nguyễn Khang Events Coordinator|Nguyễn Susan
VCSA-TORONTO
The Vietnamese Culture and Science Association of Toronto (VCSA Toronto) was first established in July 2005 by a group of Len Duong alumni. Since then, VCSA-Toronto has hosted a Canadian Len Duong Camp in 2006 and the 12th Annual Youth Leadership Development Len Duong Camp in 2009. We are honouredhonored to welcome you all to Ontario once again for the 16th Annual Len Duong Camp.
Lê Quang Phiêu Nguyễn Phúc Anh Lan Lê Minh Triết Kevin Huỳnh Thân Như Quỳnh Nguyễn Nhã Hòa Diệp Đăng Duy Jaime Phạm Minh Thọ Honourary Members: Võ Thành Tân Nguyễn Hoành Khôi Đổ Kỳ Anh Hồ Văn Thừa Nguyễn V. Trường Quang Nguyễn-Lê Christine Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP All Len Duong 2013 campers will be eligible for FREE membership to VCSA- Toronto.
CONTACT INFORMATION Vietnamese Culture & Science Association – Toronto Chapter 5482 Hurst Court Mississauga, Ontario, L5V 2C8 Email: toronto@vcsa.org Website: toronto.vcsa.org
PAST EVENTS OF VCSA – TORONTO CHAPTER
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
Established in 1972 as a fraternal organization and incorporated in 1979 as a non-profit charitable organization, VAT has the following Mission Statements: • To provide settlement and adaptation services to immigrants and help them integrate and participate successfully in Canadian society. • To promote mutual understanding, tolerance and racial harmony among ethno-cultural communities. • To work for the promotion and preservation of the Vietnamese heritage and culture, and for the enrichment of multiculturalism in Canada.
SƠ LƯỢC VỀ HỘI NGƯỜI VIỆT TORONTO (HNV) Hội Người Việt Toronto đã phát triển từ một tổ chức thân hữu khi được thành lập năm 1972 thành một tổ chức phi lợi nhuận và từ thiện năm 1979 với các tôn chỉ sau: • Cung cấp các dịch vụ nhằm trợ giúp người di dân mới đến ổn định và hội nhập thành công với cuộc sống xã hội tại Canada. • Thúc đẩy sự hiểu biết và hòa hợp giữa các cộng đồng sắc dân thiểu số. • Phát triển và bảo tồn di sản văn hóa của người Việt nhằm làm phong phú thêm môi trường đa văn hóa tại Canada.
VAT Board of Directors President Tho Pham
VIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION, TORONTO
Overview
Vice-President Max Vo Vice-President Jamie Duy Diep Treasurer Lien Nguyen General Secretary Pha P. Nguyen Other Board Members Anthony Pham, Ba D. Huynh, Khang Nguyen Le Luong, Mai Nguyen, Tom Tang
Executive Director Mr. Manh Nguyen
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OPERATION CIRCLE 100 After each Len Duong Camp, our alumni continue to hold a piece, small or large, of our camp close by – through continued friendships, engagement in the community, application of lessons learned, or cherished memories of a weekend not long ago. In the spirit of reflecting upon the impact of Len Duong Camp, Operation Circle 100 began. The purpose of Circle 100 was to unite alumni to reflect upon our Len Duong experience(s) and to pay it forward for future campers by committing to fundraising $100+ for Len Duong Camp 2013 in Toronto ON. VCSA would like to recognize the Circle 100 Agents and acknowledge the donors whose efforts and supports contributed to making Len Duong Camp possible. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CIRCLE 100 AGENTS DONORS
LEN DUONG CIRCLE 100
Anhlan Nguyen* Anhthu Phan Anne Marie PA Pham Annie Liu Anonymous Donor 1 Anonymous Donor 2 Anonymous Donor 3 Anonymous Donor 4 Bao Nguyen-Huu Cathy Nguyen CVYA* Chris Dao Crystal Truong David Zhao Debbie Wong Dennis Vu* Dominic Fok Gregor Simeonov Hoang Nguyen Hung Nguyen Huy Pham Jack Tran Jackson Nguyen Julie Nguyen Katherine Le Kathy Kim Khanh Truong
Anhlan Nguyen Anhthu Phan Boon Quốc Thanh Trần Brian Do Bao Nguyen-Huu Charlie Plop Chris Dao Crystal Truong Dennis Vu Huy Pham Jack Tran‡ Katherine Le Kim Pham Linh Nguyen Nathaniel Ngo‡ Paul Nguyen Phong Nguyen Quyen Pham Quynh Huynh‡ Quynh Anh Nguyen Susan Nguyen Thanh Ngo Thao Nguyen Thien Cao Tien Nguyen Truong Nong ‡Top Fundraisers
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Khanh Bui** Linh Tran Loc Nguyen** Michael Ha Michael Trang Minhtri Truong Nathaniel Ngo Philip T Pham* Phillip Tu Nguyen Phong Nguyen Phuc B Nguyen Quang X Nguyen Quynh Huynh Stephen Huynh Susan Dinh Tien Le** Thao T Nguyen The-Duc Nguyen Thi Kim Nguyen Nguyen* Thao Nguyen Thuy Duong Nguyen Tiffany H Chan Truong Nguyen Van Tran Yun Jen Wang
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**Sponsor-level sponsorship *Friend-level sponsorship
LEN DUONG CIRCLE 100
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Vietnamese Culture and Science Association would like to recognize the contribution of the following corporations, businesses, and individuals for their generous sponsorship of the Youth Leadership Development Camp Len Duong 2013:
PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS Vietnamese Association of Toronto (VAT) Leadership Education for Asian Pacific (LEAP) UNDERWRITERS GRACE Education Fund Rock Revival Shell Oil Company Thoi Bao Inc. WinMagic ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 70
BENEFACTORS Catherine Tran Humanitarian Relief Dr. Charles C. Nguyen & Catholic University of America Texas Instruments & VNTI PATRONS CenterPoint Energy Dr. Hai Ho Dr. & Mrs. Tran, Hung Quoc Dr. Michael Tuan Minh Vo Dr. & Mrs. Kim Quang Tran Lê, Hoàng Nguyên & Winning Agency Mr. Do, Ky Anh & Mrs. Kim Chi Tran Mr. Huy Truong & Mrs. Loan Vo Mr. Truong Nong & Mrs. Anhlan Nguyen Mr. & Mrs. Thi Nguyen-Huu Mr. & Mrs. Dat Nguyen Mr. & Mrs. Si Minh Tran Phap Van Temple
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FRIENDS Dr. Mai Tram Nguyen Dr. Tram Ho & Bellaire Medical Center Dr. Danh Le & Ms. Thanh Luu Mr. & Mrs. Tran, Luong Ngoc Mr. Quang & Mrs. Ho, Thi Khanh Lan Mr. Luong, Dung & Mrs. Nguyen, Nga Mr. & Mrs. Dinh, Ngoc Boi Mr. Thuan & Mrs. Trinh Nguyen Ms. Dau, T. Huynh Ms. Thuy Huynh Mr. Le, Cong Thuan SUPPORTERS Collins Elementary School Dr. Pham, Tien Loc Lac Viet Public Education Society. Mr. & Mrs. Phung, Quang Tuan Mr. & Mrs. Vo, Thanh Tan Mr. & Mrs.Nguyen, Van Tuong Quang Ms. Do, Le Ngoc Han Ms. Duong, Tuyet Saigon Houston Radio 900AM Saigon Tex-News Saigon Pharmacy Saigon Tex News SBTN Texas SBTN Toronto Thoi Bao US and Canada VAN Television Viet Tien TV Vietsun
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
SPONSORS Dennis Vu Dr. Rick Ngô Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Tam Nguyen Dr. Ngoc Vo & Mr. Tien Dao Dr. Bao Vo Hoa D. Nguyen Hung Vuong Learning Center Greatland Investment Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Vo, Thanh Tan Pacific Pharmacy Mississauga Saigon Eggroll Tien Le Tony Toàn Nguyễn Memorial Scholarship Fund
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TEAM BIOS Bà Triệu Một bậc anh thư nữ kiệt, sinh vào khoảng giữa thế kỷ thứ ba, tên thật là Triệu Thị Trinh, mồ côi cha mẹ từ bé nên ở với anh ruột là Triệu Quốc Đạt. Từ bé bà đã tỏ ra có một ý chí khác thường. Bà thích múa roi, đánh kiếm, cưỡi ngựa voi để tập trận. Bà từng có lần nói rằng: “Tôi muốn cỡi cơn gió mạnh, đạp làn sóng dữ, chém cá tràng Kình nơi bể Đông, quét sạch bờ cõi, cứu dân ra khỏi nơi đắm đuối, chứ không thèm bắt chước người đời cúi đầu, khom lưng làm tỳ thiếp người ta”. Trong thời kỳ Bắc thuộc, khi quân Tàu mang quân sang xâm chiếm nước ta và đặt ách cai trị tàn bạo và khắc nghiệt lên dân tộc Việt thì bà cùng anh là Triệu Quốc Đạt đã chiêu tập quân lính nổi lên chống lại quân Tàu. Hai anh em bà làm cho quân Tàu thua trận và vất vả nhiều phen khiến quân Tàu nể sợ. Mỗi lần ra trận, bà cưỡi voi, tuốt kiếm xung phong đi trước tấn công khiến quân Tàu phải khiếp hãi.
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Mỗi lần ra trận bà thường cưỡi voi bành vàng, mặc áo vàng, xưng là Nhụy Kiều Tướng Quân. Về sau, quan thứ sử Giao Châu là Lục Dận đem quân đông vào đánh, bà chống nhau với giặc rất mãnh liệt và cầm cự trong vòng 6 tháng trời. Nhưng quân ít, thế cô, cuối cùng thua trận. Bà đem quân chạy đến xã Bồ Điền rồi tự sát. Lúc ấy bà chỉ mới 23 tuổi. Dân chúng cảm phục và thương tiếc bà nên đã lập đền thờ bà ở vùng Thanh Hóa, bắc trung phần. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ba Trieu Thi Trinh (248) – In the course of the second Chinese domination, life in the province of Giao Chau was completely patterned after the Chinese model. Luc Dan, the Chinese ruler in Giao Chau, was a harsh and cruel Imperial Commissioner. In Thanh Hoa, Trieu Thi Trinh along with her brother Trieu Quoc Dat raised an army to fight against the Chinese. Ba Trieu was an extraordinary and courageous young lady. At the age of twenty, she raised an army to fight against the Chinese and soon was joined by more than 1000 volunteers. When Trieu Quoc Dat launched the revolt, she came to help and the province Cuu Chan thereafter was under their control. The soldiers admired her courage and talent, elected Ba Trieu to become their General of the Army. The Chinese was frightened when hearing her name during the combat. After six months of fighting, Trieu Quoc Dat died and Ba Trieu was defeated by the Chinese. Cornered by the pursuing Ngo Troops, the famous heroine committed suicide at Bo Dien (Thanh Hoa province). Ba Trieu died very young, at the age of 23.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Hai Bà Trưng Hai vị nữ anh hùng khởi đầu cho công cuộc chống lại sự xâm lăng tàn bạo và mạnh mẽ của người Trung Hoa vào nước Việt. Chồng bà Trưng Trắc là tướng Thi Sách dự định khởi nghĩa chống lại nhà Hán đang đô hộ nước ta thời bấy giờ (năm 40), không may bị khám phá. Tô Định là vị thái thú tàn bạo đang cai trị nước ta, đã bắt giữ và chém đầu Thi Sách.
Hai bà làm vua được ba năm thì Mã Viện, một đại danh tướng của nhà Đông Hán đem quân sang phục thù. Trước quân số đông đảo của quân Hán, gồm cả thủy bộ hai mặt tấn công, quân Nam không chống nổi, hai bà phải rút lui và chạy về đến tỉnh Sơn Tây thì toàn quân tan rã. Hai bà nhảy xuống sông Hát Giang để hiến mình cho tổ quốc. Tuy chỉ ở ngôi được 3 năm, nhưng tinh thần quật cường, bất khuất của anh thư nước Việt đã được Hai Bà soi sáng cho muôn ngàn năm sau.
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Trung’s Sisters (Trung Trac and Trung Nhi) –– the first heroines in Vietnam’s History to restore the independence of Vietnam from the Chinese and establish an independent country in three years in early First century (0040-0043). Trung Trac’s husband, Mr. Thi Sach, was planning the revolution to liberate Vietnam from the colonization by the Chinese in 0030. Unfortunately, his plan was found out and he was executed by To Dinh, the Chinese imperialist governor. The Trung sisters then continued Thi Sach’s plan, raised an army, led them to continue the revolution and successfully defeated the Chinese to establish the independence for Vietnam. The Trung sisters proclaimed first Queen of Vietnam and governed the country in three years. In 0043. the Chinese came back with a much more powerful troop and defeated the Vietnamese. Queen Trung Vuong threw themselves into the Singing River (Hat Giang) so that they would not be captured by the enemy.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
TEAM BIOS
Hai bà Trưng là con gái một lạc tướng ở huyện Mê Linh, làng Hạ Lôi, tỉnh Phúc Yên. Theo thần tích làng Hạ Lôi (Cổ Lai), tỉnh Phúc Yên thì hai bà là hai chị em sinh đôi, sinh ngày 1 tháng 8 năm Giáp tuất. Khi chồng bị giết, Trưng Trắc nén đau thương cùng em dựng cờ khởi nghĩa nối nghiệp chồng chống lại quân Hán. Quân số dưới trướng hai bà độ 60 ngàn người. Chỉ trong vòng mấy tháng trời đã chiếm được 65 thành trì và đánh tan quân Tàu để lên ngôi hoàng đế. Hai bà cũng là Nữ Hoàng Đế đầu tiên của dân tộc Việt Nam.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Lê Quý Đôn (1726-1784) Ông sinh năm 1726, tại xã Duyên Hà, tỉnh Thái Bình, tự là Doãn Hậu, hiệu là Quế Đường. Ông nổi tiếng là một nhà bác học thời Lê mạt, sáng tác rất nhiều văn thơ nói về lịch sử, địa dư, văn hóa nước ta. Ngay từ thuở nhỏ ông đã nổi tiếng thông minh và có trí nhớ lạ thường. Năm 18 tuổi ông đỗ Giải Nguyên, năm 27 tuổi đỗ Bảng Nhãn, đời vua Lê Hiển Tông. Năm Cảnh Hưng thứ 36, ông được cử làm Tổng tài Quốc Sử Quán, coi việc tục biên quốc sử với Nguyễn Hoàn. Ông mất năm 1784, hưởng thọ 59 tuổi. Bài thơ Quốc Âm nổi tiếng của Lê Quý Đôn là bài “Rắn Đầu Biếng Học” như sau:
“Chẳng phải liu điu vẫn giống nhà Rắn đầu biếng học chẳng ai tha Thẹn đèn hổ lửa đau lòng mẹ Nay thét mai gầm rát cổ cha. Ráo mép chỉ quen tuồng nói dối, Lằn lưng cam chịu tiếng roi tra. Từ rày Trâu, Lỗ chăm nghề học Kẻo hỗ mang điều tiếng thế gia”.
TEAM BIOS
Ông để lại rất nhiều tác phẩm, trứ tác cũng như dịch thuật và biên khảo. Phủ biên Tạp lục (6 cuốn), Bác Sứ Thông lục (4 cuốn), và Kiến Văn tiểu lục (12 cuốn) có thể được xem là bộ tự điển bách khoa đầu tiên của Việt Nam.
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Le Quy Don (1726-1784). Also known as Doan Hau and Que Duong, Le Quy Don was born in Duyen Ha village, Thai Binh county and became famous for his scholarship during the latter part of Le Dynasty. He authored many works on history, geography and Vietnamese literature. A prodigy, he was known for his extraordinary memory and intellect from an early age. At age 18, he received Giai Nguyen degree, and at 27 during King Le Hien Tong, Bang Nhan degree. During Canh Hung’s reign, he was put in charge of the National Bureau of History Recording, a highly respectable position in 18th century Asia. One of his best-known poems was “Ran Dau Bieng Hoc” (the Lazy SnakeHead poem) composed when he was a little boy. This poem used the names of different snakes semantically to depict a boy who was lazy in studying.
Le Quy Don’s writings covered a wide range of topics. He was indeed the first scholar of Vietnam who compiled the first Vietnamese Encyclopedia consisting of 22 volumes.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Vua Duy Tân
Nhận biết được tâm ý của Nhà Vua, Việt Nam Quang Phục Hội cử đại diện là Trần Cao Vân thâm nhập vào hoàng cung hội kiến Nhà Vua và trình bày kế hoạch khởi nghĩa. Nhận thấy Pháp đang bị động tại Âu châu vì Đệ nhất thế chiến, nên Nhà Vua chấp thuận kế hoạch khởi nghĩa, định ngày 3 tháng 5, 1916 khởi sự. Năm ấy Vua Duy Tân mới 16 tuổi. Tiếc thay đại sự bất thành vì có người tố giác với Pháp; cuộc khởi nghĩa chưa tiến hành đã bị dập tắt. Vua Duy Tân bị bắt khi vừa trốn ra khỏi hoàng thành và bị Pháp nhốt tại đồn Mang Cá hơn 10 ngày rồi bị đày sang đảo Reunion, một thuộc địa của Pháp ở Phi Châu. Khi Đệ nhị thế chiến xảy ra, Vua Duy Tân gia nhập Lực Lượng Pháp Tự Do và mang cấp bặc Thiếu tá trong binh chủng không quân Pháp để chống lại Đức Quốc Xã. Nhưng sau đó Nhà Vua đã thiệt mạng trong một phi vụ ngày 26 tháng 12 năm 1945.
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King Duy Tan’s real name is Nguyen Phuc Vinh San. He is the 10th king of the Nguyen Dynasty. When king Thanh Thai was forced to abdicate his throne, the crown-prince Vinh San was only 8 years old. The French put him into the throne to easily control Vietnam. However, when the king grew up, he became a fine, young king who opposed the French colonialism imposed in Vietnam. King Duy Tan used to go outside the citadel to visit the people. During one of his outings, some revolutionary had tried to contact him. Legend has it that when he was at a beach, he built a sand castle. His personal assistant said: “please don’t play with the sand, you get your hands dirty.” The King asked: “How to clean diry hands?” The assistant answered: “We used water to clean our hands.” The King continued, “How to clean dirty water?” [in Vietnamese, water and country sound the same]. His assistant could not answer. King Duy Tan said: “Use blood to clean dirty country.”
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Vua Duy Tân, tên thật là Nguyễn Phúc Vĩnh San, vị vua thứ 10 đời nhà Nguyễn. Khi Vua Thành Thái bị truất phế, Thái tử Vĩnh San mới 8 tuổi được Pháp đưa lên ngôi năm 1907 để dễ bề thao túng. Khi lớn lên nhà vua tỏ ra là một thanh niên hiên ngang, lỗi lạc và có ý bài Pháp. Nhà vua thường hay lấy cớ ở trong cung tù túng nên thường vi hành ra ngoài để thăm dân tình. Người Pháp cho làm nhà thừa lương ngoài cửa Tùng (Quảng Trị) để ngài ra đó tiêu khiển. Trong những chuyến đi như vậy, một số các nhà cách mạng đã tìm cách liên lạc với ngài. Tương truyền trong một chuyến đi chơi biển, nhà vua ngồi xây một lâu đài bằng cát trên biển, một quan cận thần nói: “Tâu Bệ hạ, không nên nghịch cát, bẩn tay.” Nhà Vua hỏi lại: “Thế tay bẩn lấy gì rửa?” Vị quan đáp lại: “Tâu, tay bẩn lấy nước rửa.” Nhà Vua hỏi tiếp: “Thế nước bẩn lây gì mà rửa?” Viên cận thần lúng túng không đáp được. Nhà Vua mới ôn tồn bảo: “Nước bẩn thì lấy máu mà rửa.”
Vietnam Restoration Organization has been observing the young king’s behavior and intention for a long time and realized that his majesty has always wanted to do something; therefore, they assigned Tran Cao Van to infiltrate into the Royal Palace to meet with King Duy Tan and presented a plan for a general uprising. King Duy Tan, then 16 years old, agreed to participate and set May 3, 1916 as D-day. However, the secret was betrayed, and the plan was crushed from the beginning. King Duy Tan was arrested when he tried to sneak out of the Royal Palace. The French then sent him into exile in Reunion, a French colonial island in Africa. When the Second World War erupted, King Duy Tan joined the Free French Force and became a major in its Air Force fighting against the Nazi. He was killed in an air sortie on 26 December, 1945.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Nguyen Hue (King Quang Trung)
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Nguyen Hue is the real name of King Quang Trung. He was born in 1752 in Tay Son, An Khe village, Binh Khe district, Binh Dinh province. He had two brothers, the oldest is Nguyen Nhac, and next to him is Nguyen Lu. The Nguyens brothers studied with Teacher Hien, a teacher who taught them patriotism and responsibility of being young men in the tumultuous time. The South, even though was still being under Lord Nguyen’s family, Lord Nguyen Dinh Vuong at that time was only 12 years old; therefore, all powers were in the hands of the Chief of Staff, Truong Phuc Loan. Loan abused his power for personal gains and caused havoc to the people. Nguyen Nhac and his two brothers raised an army and rebelled against Truong Phuc Loan in 1771. Among the three brothers, Nguyen Hue, the youngest and only 18 years old at that time, had proved to be a military genius who never lost a battle. Within seven years, the Nguyens brothers divide the country into three regions: the north belonged to King Le and Lord Trinh, the south still belongs to the weakening Lord Nguyen, and the central belongs to the three brothers. Nhac proclaimed himself king Thai Duc and promoted Nguyen Hue to the title Long Nhuong General. One of the descendants of Lord Nguyen was Nguyen Anh who was hiding in the south and several times tried to recover his family’s country. Nguyen Anh asked Thailand to help in 1784. Thailand sent 20 thousand troops and 300 warships to invade Vietnam, but Nguyen Hue decimated this alliance at Rach Gam near My Tho province nowadays. After that Nguyen Hue moved his troops northward and decimated Lord Trinh’s army. Nguyen Nhac promoted Hue to Bac binh vuong, (a prince who pacified the north). Even though Trinh’s power was annihilated, King Le Chieu Thong still wanted to reestablish the Le Dynasty. He sneaked to China and asked for help. King Chi’n Lung of the Chi’ng ordered Ton Si Nghi, governor of Quang Dong and Quang Tay provinces, to mobilize 200 thousand troops to invade Vietnam. Facing the invasion, all officers requested Nguyen Hue to ascend to the throne to secure the legitimacy. Nguyen Hue assumed the kingship on 25 November, 1788, and named his dynasty Quang Trung. He mobilized 100 thousand troops to fight the invaders. On 20 December (lunar year), he stopped his troops at Mount Tam Diep, and said: “We celebrate New Year early today, and we will celebrate New Year on the 7th day in Thang Long citadel.” Within 10 days, Quang Trung’s armies decimated Ton Si Nghi’s. Nghi had to run for his life and forgot his seals, the most important item of a general. Quang Trung officially ascended to the throne in 1790. He had many plans and dreams for a glorious and prosperous Vietnam, but unfortunately, he died young within 2 years being one of the greatest heros of Vietnam.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP
Nguyễn Huệ, tức Vua Quang Trung, sinh năm 1752 tại trại Tây Sơn thuộc thôn An Khê, huyện Bình khê, tỉnh Bình Định. Ông là em trai thứ ba, hai nguời anh là Nguyễn Nhạc và Nguyễn Lữ. Thuở nhỏ ba anh em thụ nghiệp Giáo Hiến, một nhà giáo đã un đúc tinh thần dấn thân vì dân, vì nước cho ba anh em. Giáo Hiến thường khuyến khích Nguyễn Nhạc hãy ra tay giúp dân, giúp nước. Đàng Trong thuộc quyền cai quản của Chúa Nguyễn, nhưng Chúa Nguyễn Định Vương lúc ấy mới 12 tuổi nên quyền hành nằm trong tay Trương Phúc Loan, một phụ chánh đại thần đã lạm dụng quyền hành để thu lợi riêng. Dân tình do đó thật là khổ sở. Nguyễn Nhạc cùng hai em bèn khởi nghĩa binh tại Tây Sơn chống lại Trương Phúc Loan năm 1771. Trong ba anh em, Nguyễn Huệ mặc dù còn trẻ, lúc đó mới 18 tuổi, đã chứng tỏ thiên tài quân sự của mình, đánh đâu thắng đó. Chỉ trong 7 năm, anh em Nguyễn Nhạc đã chia ba thiên hạ, tạo nên một triều đại riêng biệt: miền bắc còn vua Lê và chúa Trịnh, trong nam , chúa Nguyễn chưa mất hẳn ngôi. Nguyễn Nhạc xưng làm vua đặt niên hiệu là Thái Đức, phong Nguyễn Huệ làm Long Nhương tướng quân (1778). Từ đó thiên tài quân sự của Nguyễn Huệ càng phát triển. Quân của chúa Nguyễn Ánh còn ẩn náu trong nam, nhiều lần tiến quân hòng khôi phục cơ đồ, khiến Nguyễn Huệ phải 4 lần đưa quân vào Gia Định để đánh dẹp. Quân Nguyễn Ánh nhờ quân Xiêm sang giúp năm 1784, vua Xiêm cho 20 ngàn quân cùng 300 chiến thuyền sang giúp, nhưng đoàn quân này bị Nguyễn Huệ đánh tan tành tại Rạch Gầm, Xoài-Mút tại Mỹ Tho. Sau đó Nguyễn Huệ tiến quân ra bắc dẹp chúa Trịnh. Nguyễn Nhạc phong cho Nguyễn Huệ tước Bắc bình vương vì chiến công này. Miền bắc dù Chúa Trịnh đã bị dẹp tan, vua Lê lúc đó là Lê Chiêu Thống vẫn còn muốn khôi phục lại nhà Lê nên chạy sang Trung Hoa cầu viện nhà Thanh. Vua Càn Long sai Tôn Sĩ Nghị là Tổng đốc Lưỡng Quảng lấy cớ giúp nhà Lê, nhưng thực ra là để xâm lăng Việt Nam. Tôn Sĩ Nghị điều động binh mã bốn tỉnh Vân Nam, Quý Châu, Quảng Đông, Quảng Tây, tất cả là 200 ngàn quân sang đánh nước ta.
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Nguyễn Huệ (Vua Quang Trung)
Được tin quân Thanh xâm lăng, triều thần bèn xin Nguyễn Huệ chính thức lên ngôi vua để cho yên lòng dân, ông lên ngôi vua ngày 25 tháng 11 năm 1788 lấy hiệu là Quang Trung, và lập tức cử binh ra bắc với quân số khoảng 100 ngàn quân. Ngày 20 tháng Chạp năm Mậu Thân, quân ta đến núi Tam Điệp, vua Quang Trung cho quân dừng ăn tết trước. Nhà vua phán: “Bữa nay hãy ăn tết Nguyên Đán trước, sang xuân, ngày mồng 7, ta sẽ vào thành Thăng Long ăn tết Khai Hạ.” Chỉ trong 10 ngày quân Nam đánh tan tành 200 ngàn quân Thanh, Tôn Sĩ Nghị phải bỏ cả ấn tín mà chạy về Tàu. Vua Quang Trung lên ngôi hoàng đế năm 1790 và có những giấc mộng và kế hoạch quy mô như: dự định đòi lại hai vùng đất Quảng Đông và Quảng Tây đã bị người Tàu chiếm giữ. Tiếc thay, chỉ mới lên ngôi được hai năm thì vua Quang Trung đã băng hà trong khi nhiều dự định chưa thực hiện xong.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Tăng Bạt Hổ Tang Bat Ho, literally means “Tang, who scares away the tiger,” was born Tang Doan Van, aka Dien Bat, in 1858 at An Thuong, Hoai An district, Binh Dinh province. Tang Bat Ho can be considered the first Vietnamese who traveled across the high seas to find a way to free Vietnam from French colonization. In 1876 when he was 18 years old, Tang enlisted in the army during the reign of King Tu Duc. Being a brave and extremely skilled martial practitioner, Tang was quickly promoted to command a battalion. In 1885, the French attacked Hue, King Ham Nghi had to abandon the Royal Palace and withdrew to the jungle of Quang Tri. Tang and his soldiers also withdrew to Hoai An jungle; there he met other resistance groups. Within a short time Tang earned the respect of all other officers and was elected to be the commander general of the whole group. However, resistance forces lacked food, munitions and logistics, and could not sustain a long struggle against the French. When the resistance was crushed, Tang escaped to Laos, Thailand, and China. He realized that China was a weak country that could not help herself; therefore, he returned home and tried to go to Japan, a developing Asian country in both military and economy.
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Tang joined the Japanese Navy and participated in the famous navy battle of the Russo-Japanese war at Lu-shun, where Japanese Navy defeated the Russian for the first time in history, at the beginning of the 20th century. Tang was instrumental in this victory and awarded commendation by king Mei-ji himself in the Royal Court. When Tang received his commendation, he cried out loud and said: “I am not a Japanese, I am indeed a Vietnamese who lost his country, and trying to save my motherland.” After that Tang stayed in Japan and befriended many Japanese politicians who sympathized and wanted to support Vietnam’s plight. In 1904, Tang returned to Vietnam and with Phan Boi Chau initiated Dong Du Movement and became a shuttle between Vietnam and Japan for this movement. In Vietnam, Tang made connection with Nguyen Quyen to found Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc, the first free public school operated by private fund in Vietnam. In 1908, during a trip from the north to the south, Tang stopped at Hue, and was stricken down by severe illness and passed away that year at the age of 50. All 50 years of his life, Tang Bat Ho has dedicated all to the restoration of Vietnam.
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LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Tăng Bạt Hổ
Tăng Bạt Hổ gia nhập hải quân Nhật và đã tham dự trong trận hải chiến lừng danh đầu thế kỷ 20 tại Lữ Thuận (Liêu Đông) năm 1904. Đây là lần đầu tiên một nước thuộc châu Á đánh thắng một nước lớn tại châu Âu nên biến cố này làm nức lòng các nước nhược tiểu vùng Đông Nam Á. Võ công và lòng dũng cảm của ông đã góp phần vào chiến tích này. Minh Trị Thiên Hoàng đã đích thân ban ngự tửu cho Tăng Bạt Hổ trong lễ mừng chiến thắng. Trước triều đình Nhật Bản, ông đã khóc và nói: “Tôi không phải là người Nhật mà chỉ là một người Việt Nam vong mạng, xuất dương mưu cầu phục quốc.” Chính từ đó ông nghiễm nhiên trở thành một chính khách Việt Nam hoạt động bên cạnh chính phủ Nhật Bản. Các danh nhân và chính khách ở Nhật Bản đều cảm kích tấm lòng cao thượng của ông và ngỏ ý giúp đỡ ông về đào tạo nhân tài cho đất nước.
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Tăng Bạt Hổ tên thật là Tăng Doãn Văn, hiệu là Sư Triệu và Điền Bát, sinh năm Mậu Ngọ - 1858, tại xã An Thường, thuộc huyện Hoài Ân, tỉnh Bình Định (Theo Trần Gia Phụng, Tăng Bạt Hổ có tên thật là Lê Thiệu Hổ––“Những câu chuyện Việt Sử tập 2”). Có thể nói Tăng Bạt Hổ là người Việt Nam đầu tiên xuất dương tìm đường cứu nước. Ngay từ năm 1876, lúc Tăng 18 tuổi đã thay anh đi đầu quân gia nhập quân đội triều đình, dưới thời Tự Đức (1848-1883). Với bản tính can trường và giỏi võ, Tăng sớm lên chức chỉ huy từ Xuất đội (trước năm 1883) lên Cai cơ (1884). Năm 1885 Pháp tấn công Huế, Vua Hàm Nghi phải chạy ra Quảng Trị ban chiếu Cần Vương. Tăng Bạt Hổ cùng thuộc hạ kéo vào vùng rừng núi Hoài Ân kháng chiến. Chỉ trong một thời gian ngắn ông được mọi người kính trọng, tôn vinh làm Đề đốc, chỉ huy nghĩa quân. Tuy nhiên nghĩa quân không đủ súng ống và đạn dược đương cự với quân Pháp. Sau một thời gian cầm cự nghĩa quân tan rã, ông phải trốn sang Lào, rồi sang Thái Lan năm 1887 và Trung Hoa. Nhận thấy Trung Hoa không thể giúp gì cho mưu đồ cứu nước của mình vì chính Trung Hoa còn chưa lo xong cho thân mình, ông về nước và tìm đường sang Nhật vì Nhật là một nước Á châu đang phát triển mạnh mẽ cả về quân sự và kinh tế.
Tháng 10-1904, ông từ Nhật trở về nước và cùng Phan Bội Châu phát động Phong trào Đông Du. Tháng Chạp năm 1905, ông từ Nhật về nước mang theo thư của cụ Phan Bội Châu “Khuyên thanh niên du học”, phổ biến trong nhân dân, quần chúng khắp nơi. Ông còn liên lạc với cụ Nguyễn Quyền xúc tiến thành lập Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục (mở trường dạy tân học và miễn phí cho con nhà nghèo hiếu học). Mùa đông năm Đinh Mùi - 1908, ông từ Bắc trở vào Trung, dừng lại Huế để cổ động phong trào Đông Du, thì lâm bệnh nặng. Ông qua đời bên bờ sông Hương gợn sóng (1908). Với 50 tuổi đời, một tấm lòng đầy nhiệt huyết, bôn ba tìm phương cứu dân cứu nước, Tăng Bạt Hổ đã đi vào lịch sử đến nay đã gần 100 năm, nhưng tinh thần yêu nước và đức tính cao quý của ông vẫn còn ngời sáng cùng với lịch sử dân tộc.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Nguyễn Trãi Vị quân sư đại tài đã giúp cho Lê Lợi thành công trong công cuộc kháng chiến chống quân Minh. Ông hiệu là Ức Trai và là Đệ Nhất Khai Quốc công thần đời nhà Lê. Ông thi đỗ Tiến Sĩ lúc mới 21 tuổi. Sau một thời gian ở ẩn để nghiên cứu binh thư đồ trận, ông hay tin Lê Lợi ở Lam Sơn khởi nghĩa chống quân Minh, ông liền đến hợp tác. Trong suốt 10 năm kháng chiến chống quân Minh, Nguyễn Trãi là vị quân sư luôn kề cận bên Lê Lợi để tổ chức mọi việc chính trị, quân sự, vv.. Khi đất nước đã thống nhất, ông vâng mệnh vua thảo ra bài hịch Bình Ngô Đại Cáo lời lẽ rất hùng hồn sắc bén, nêu cao hùng khí của người xưa và tinh thần bất khuất của dân tộc ta. Sau khi phục vụ triều Lê đời vua Lê Thái Tổ (Lê Lợi), ông xin từ quan về trí sĩ ở núi Côn Sơn thuộc huyện Chí Linh tỉnh Hải Dương. Năm 1442, vua Lê Thái Tôn đi tuần du ngang qua chỗ Nguyễn Trãi ở thì gặp Thị Lộ, người tỳ thiếp của Nguyễn Trãi, nhan sắc lộng lẫy lại có biệt tài văn chương liền phong làm Lễ Nghi Học sĩ theo hầu nhà vua. Trên đường đi thình lình nhà vua nhuốm bệnh và băng hà, trong lúc luôn có Thị Lộ hầu hạ bên mình. Triều đình bèn quy tội cho Thị Lộ giết vua và nhân cơ hội này nghe lời dèm pha đã cho Nguyễn Trãi là chủ mưu vụ này và đưa ông cùng cả họ ra xử Tru Di Tam Tộc (giết ba họ).
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Cái án oan này mãi cho đến 22 năm sau, vua Lê Thánh Tôn xét lại thấy có điều hàm hồ và oan ức cho một vị khai quốc công thần, đã hủy bỏ án trước, truy phục chức cho Nguyễn Trãi. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In his numerous writings, Nguyen Trai stressed the importance of political struggle, of “winning hearts and minds” (“it is better to conquer hearts than citadels”), of stratagem, of protracted struggle, and of the use of negotiations to mislead the enemy and of the necessity to choose the right opportunity to strike for victory. Many of his works on strategy, such as Quan Trung Tu Menh Tap (Writings in the Military Headquarter ), Binh Ngo Sach (Strategy of the Resistance), which later became Vietnam’s Declaration of Independence. He also left behind a respectable collection of poems, which reflect the true humanity in this extraordinary man. Nguyen Trai is viewed in modern Vietnam as one of the truly great figures in Vietnamese history. His ideas on formulating a strategy to defeat the Ming are inspiring. He is considered one of the foremost writers in Vietnamese history and a pioneer in the use of Chu Nom, Vietnam’s original writing. Above all, his integrity, loyalty and humanity, which represent the best elements of Confucian humanism, have won him the respect and admiration of generations of Vietnamese.
LÊN ĐƯỜNG 2013 | PASSION, ACTION, IMPACT
16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Công Chúa Huyền Trân Trong cuộc chiến chống quân Nguyên, nhà Trần đã liên minh với Chiêm Thành để bảo vệ mặt trận phía nam. Cuộc liên minh này không những giúp cho Đại Việt chiến thắng quân Mông Cổ mà còn giúp Chiêm Thành giữ được đất nước. Vì lẽ đó, sau khi chiến thắng, Chiêm Thành gửi sứ giả đem lễ vật sang thăm Đại Việt (năm Tân Sửu 1301). Vua Trần Nhân Tông, lúc này là Thái Thượng Hoàng, nhân dịp trả lễ sang thăm Chiêm Thành, hội kiến với vua Chiêm là Chế Mân. Trong buổi hội kiến này Trần Nhân Tông hứa sẽ gả Công Chúa Huyền Trân cho Chế Mân, một vị vua thực sự anh hùng của Chiêm Thành.
Công chúa Huyền Trân theo chồng về Chiêm, được Chế Mân phong cho làm hoàng hậu Paramecvari. Nhưng nhân duyên chỉ được có một năm. Năm sau, Chế Mân chết. Theo tục lệ Ấn giáo, khi chồng chết vợ phải lên giàn hỏa thiêu chết theo chồng (nghi thức này gọi là trà tỳ “suttee”), cho nên Công chúa Huyền Trân bị buộc phải lên giàn hỏa. Thương em, vua Trần Anh Tông, ra lệnh cho tướng Trần Khắc Chung sang Chiêm lấy cớ viếng tang để cứu Huyền Trân đưa về nước. Tương truyền thuyền của Khắc Chung và Huyền Trân ra biển rồi bị bão lạc đến một năm sau mới về đến Thăng Long. Cuộc hôn nhân giữa Huyền Trân và Chế Mân trên thực tế chỉ là một cuộc hôn nhân chính trị, vì thứ nhất, Chế Mân đã có vợ là công chúa xứ Java rồi (hoàng hậu Tapasi), thứ hai, Chế Mân chưa bao giờ thấy mặt Huyền Trân để bảo là có lòng yêu thương. Phần Công chúa Huyền Trân, rõ ràng là một sự hy sinh lớn lao để mở mang bờ cõi khi phải lấy chồng xứ lạ, tại một nơi kém văn hóa, mở mang, dù ông chồng đó có là vua đi nữa. Dù sao, hành động cướp Huyền Trân mang về của nhà Trần cũng là điều không nên không phải với Chiêm Thành, gây nên căng thẳng ngoại giao về sau này.
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Tuy nhiên, vua Trần Anh Tông cùng tôn thất và cả các quan đều không đồng ý cuộc hôn nhân này vì quan niệm khắt khe của Việt Nam thời bấy giờ về lấy chồng ngoại chủng. Mãi cho đến năm 1306 khi Chế Mân dâng hai châu Ô, Lý làm sính lễ thì vua Trần Anh Tông mới thuận cho làm đám cưới.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Công Chúa Huyền Trân During the war against the Mongoliana, the Tran Dynasty has allied with the kingdom of Champa to protect the southern front. This alliance not only helped Vietnam defeat the Mongolians, but also helped to preserve Champa’s sovereignty. After the war, Champa sent a delegation to Thang Long to bestow respect and appreciation upon the Vietnamese ally. King Tran Nhan Tong, who already retired, traveled to Champa to reciprocate protocol, and met with king Che Man of Champa. In this meeting, King Tran promised to marry his daughter Che Man, a real hero of Champa. However, King Tran Anh Tong, the reigning king, the royal family, and all officials did not want to carry out King Tran Nhan Tong’s promise because the Vietnamese people were against interracial marriage, especially as the bride was the princess. Until five years later when Che Man offered two regions O and Ly as his dowry, Tran Anh Tong approved this marriage.
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Princess Huyen Tran moved to Champa with her husband, and was offered the title Queen Paramecvari. But their marriage lasted only one year because Che Man died the following year. According to Champa custom and Hinduism, when a husband dies, his wife will have to die with him in a suttee ritual (die in a pyre). King Tran Anh Tong could not let his sister die in a fire; he ordered Tran Khac Chung, a general, to go to Champa and rescue Huyen Tran. Khac Chung rescued Huyen Tran and brought her back to Thang Long by boat; however, they got lost at sea and got on an island for one year before they reached Thang Long (legend has it that Khac Chung and Huyen Tran were former lovers, so they took advantage of the situation to elope away). The marriage between Huyen Tran and Che Man in reality is only a political marriage because Che Man has already had the first wife (a princess of Java), known as Queen Tapasi; secondly, he never met Huyen Tran to say it is a marriage of love. To Princess Huyen Tran, this marriage is a great sacrifice on her part to exchange for the expansion of the country and the stability of the regime. However, by fetching Huyen Tran back to Vietnam, the Tran dynasty has broken a solemn pledge between the two countries that caused diplomatic tension later on.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Trần Bình Trọng Một danh tướng đời nhà Trần, có trí dũng hơn người, tước phong là Bảo Nghĩa Vương. Ông tham dự công cuộc chống xâm lăng của nhà Nguyên (Mông Cổ). Khi kinh thành Thăng Long thất thủ, Hưng Đạo Vương rước vua ra Hải Dương, Trần Bình Trọng được giao sứ mạng ở lại giữ Thiên Trường để ngăn sự tiến quân của Thoát Hoan. Vì thế binh cô quả, ông bị bại trận và bị giặc Nguyên bắt. Thoát Hoan biết Trần Bình Trọng là tướng tài, liền kiếm lời khuyến dụ quy hàng nhưng Trần Bình Trọng đã cương quyết trả lời “Ta thà làm quỷ nước Nam còn hơn làm vương đất Bắc”. Đây là một lời nhắn gửi cho chúng ta rằng “cho dù được sống đời sống ở xứ người tiện nghi, giàu sang, sung sướng và được thành công, có danh vong, chúng ta vẫn phải nhớ đến cội nguồn dân tộc, hãnh diện là người Việt Nam và nhớ tới quê hương đang lầm than khốn khổ.
A famous military officer of blue-blood who is still revered as a national hero during the Tran Dynasty. This dynasty was marked by the wars against the Mongol Dynasty in China, and the kingdom of Champa in the South. After the fall of Thang Long capital, Tran Hung Dao assigned Tran Binh Trong to stay in the North to protect Thien Truong and to stop the Mongols troops from crossing Vietnamese border. During the fight, he was captured by Thoat Hoan, the Chinese military leader. Thoat Hoan tried to bribe him and promised him if he agreed to work for the Chinese they would give him a lot of money, beautiful women and a lordship in the north. To response to these efforts of the enemy, Tran Binh Trong has given a famous answer that we still remember in our history today: “I would rather be a dead man in my motherland than a Lord in your Northern land”
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Trần Quốc Toản Một dũng tướng thuộc tôn thất nhà Trần, được phong tước Hoài Văn Hầu. Khi quân Nguyên (Mông Cổ) sang xâm lấn nước ta lần thứ nhất (1283,) vua Trần Nhân Tông họp các vương hầu tại Bình Than để bàn kế chống giặc. Trần Quốc Toản tuy là tôn thất nhưng năm ấy mới 16 tuổi nên không được vào dự phiên họp này; đứng bên ngoài, Trần Quốc Toản giận quá bóp nát quả cam cầm trong tay lúc nào không biết. Sau đó ông về nhà, tự chiêu mộ lấy binh sĩ để thành lập một đạo quân đánh giặc Nguyên. Cờ hiệu của đạo quân của ông mang 6 chữ: “Phá cường địch, báo Hoàng ân,” có nghĩa là đánh tan quân giặc mạnh để báo đáp ơn Vua. Trần Quốc Toản đã tạo được nhiều chiến công hiển hách trong cuộc chiến bình Mông và đã tham dự vào hai trận chiến quan trọng tại Hàm Tử Quan và Chương Dương Độ. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Tran Quoc Toan, also known as the Marquis of Hoai Van, is a brilliant and courageous general and a blue-blood of the Tran dynasty. When the Mongols invaded Vietnam the first time in 1283, King Tran Nhan Tong convened at Bình Than, a meeting comprising of all generals, and royal family members to plan for the defense against the Mongol. Tran Quoc Toan was 16 years old, and therefore was not allowed to attend this historic meeting. He was given an orange instead. Standing in the vestibule of the convention hall, Tran Quoc Toan was so enraged that he crushed the orange in his hand without knowing it. After the meeting Tran Quoc Toan went home and organized a militia group to fight the Mongols himself. On the flag of his troops was the famous motto: “Fight the enemy to requite the King’s grace.” Tran Quoc Toan distinguished himself from the older generals as a young, brilliant and courageous general, and had participated in the two most important battles at Ham Tu and Chuong Duong, which turned the tides of war and led to the defeat of the Mongols.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Phù Đổng Thiên Vương (Thánh Gióng) Đời Hùng Vương thứ Sáu, Việt Nam an hưởng thái bình thì nhà Ân bên Tàu âm mưu xâm chiếm nước ta. Vua Hùng lo lắm mới triệu tập Cơ mật viện để bàn kế chống giặc. Một vị quan thưa rằng nhà vua nên cầu xin thần thánh chỉ đường cho. Nhà vua cho lập đàn để cầu thần trong suốt ba ngày. Đến ngày thứ ba thì trời bỗng mưa như trút nước và sau cơn mưa bão, bỗng có một ông lão cao lớn mặt đỏ râu trắng ngồi ở góc đường ca hát. Nhà vua biết đây là một vị thần nên thân hành tới hỏi về tương lai của đất nước.
Nhà vua phái sứ giả đi truyền dụ cầu hiền. Lúc đó tại làng Phù Đổng có một cặp vợ chồng đã già nhưng không có con. Cho đến ba năm trước, hình như có một phép lạ, người đàn bà có thai và sinh ra một bé trai. Hai vợ chồng già rất hạnh phúc và sung sướng, nhưng đứa bé không nói và đi được, chỉ ăn rồi nằm đấy. Nhưng khi sứ giả đến làng Phù Đổng để truyền lệnh của vua, thì đứa bé bỗng dưng lên tiếng nói và bảo mẹ nó gọi sứ giả đến. Đứa bé bảo sứ giả nói với nhà vua “đúc cho ta một con ngựa sắt cao năm thước, một cây roi sắt dài ba thước và một bộ áo giáp bằng sắt, ta sẽ đánh tan giặc cho nhà vua.” Sứ giả lập tức trở về tâu với nhà vua. Còn cha mẹ của đứa bé thì lo sợ lắm vì không biết con mình có làm được như đã nói không. Thế nhưng cậu bé bỗng dưng mỗi ngày một lớn ra và đòi ăn suốt ngày khiến cho cả làng phải xúm vào mới nuôi nổi, họ phải làm lều ngoài đồng vì đứa bé nay đã quá cao không ở được trong nhà nữa.
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Ông già nói, “trong ba năm nữa nhà Ân sẽ xâm lăng Việt Nam, Bệ hạ nên cho người đi truyền tin này ra khắp xứ để người tài biết mà ra giúp nước.” Nói xong, ông già bèn bay lên trời và biến mất.
Khi quân giặc đến Châu Sơn, thì cũng vừa lúc sứ giả đem ngựa sắt, roi sắt đến cho cậu bé. Cậu bé mặc giáp cầm roi sắt và nhảy lên ngựa. Kỳ diệu thay con ngựa không những có thể cất vó phóng mà còn phun lửa từ miệng. Cậu bé thúc ngựa xông vào tấn công quân giặc và đánh quân giặc tơi bời đến nỗi cây gậy sắt bị gẫy và cậu phải nhổ bật bụi tre vệ đường để làm vũ khí. Quân giặc hoàn toàn bị đả bại và phải rút lui. Cậu bé thúc ngựa đuổi theo đến chân núi Sóc Sơn thì dừng lại và cả người lẫn ngựa cùng bay lên trời mất dạng. Nhà vua phong cho cậu bé là Phù Đổng Thiên Vương và cho dựng đền thờ để tưởng nhớ công đức đã bảo vệ đất nước. Tương truyền vì lửa từ miệng ngựa sắt đã làm cháy xém những bụi tre ở huyện Gia Bình khiến cho loại tre này có vân rất đẹp còn gọi là tre Đằng Ngà, còn ngôi làng trong vùng giao tranh bị lửa thiêu cháy sau này được gọi là làng Cháy.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Phu Dong Thien Vuong (Saint Giong) In the 6th King Hùng Dynasty, while Vietnam was enjoying a peaceful period, the Ân Dynasty from China planned to invade our country. King Hùng was worried for the welfare of the people and the survival of the state. So he convened his privy council to discuss strategy against the invasion. One of the magistrates suggested the King to ask the Gods for guidance. The King built an altar and prayed for three days. On the third day, after a big storm, there appeared a big old man with white beard singing at the corner of the streets. The King knew that the old man must be one of the Gods, therefore, he asked the old man about the future of the country. “The Chinese will invade your country in the next three years,” said the Old Man. He continued, “Your Majesty should announce the news throughout the country and look for good men to come forward and protect the country.” After saying these words, the Old man ascended to the sky and disappeared. The King sent his envoys to all over the country to announce the King’s rescript. At the same time in the Phù Đổng village, there was an old childless couple. Until three years before, as if by miracle, the wife became pregnant and gave birth to a boy. Even though the old couple was very happy, their baby could not speak and walk. The baby could only eat and lie down wherever he was placed.
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However, when the envoy came to village to announce the King’s rescrript, the baby suddenly spoke up and asked his mom to call the envoy over. The baby told him, “I need a 15-foot tall iron horse, an 8-foot long iron rod, and an iron armor suit, then I will defeat the invaders.” The envoy immediately returned to the court and reported the wonderful news to the King. In the meantime, the baby’s parents were very worried that their son could not do what he claimed. However, the baby grew quickly and demanded food all the time to sustain his growth. The whole village had to contribute the food to feed the baby whom by now has grown too big and tall that he could no longer stay inside his house and had to stay in a tent out in the field. When the invaders came to the Châu Mountain, at the same time the envoy brought the horse, the rod, and body armor to the boy which was by now a grown man. He donned the armor, took the rod and mounted the iron horse. Amazingly, not only could the iron horse gallop and took him to the battlefield, it could also gushed out fire through its mouth. In the battlefield he decimated the enemy with his iron rod until it was broken. He then uprooted a bamboo grove to use as new weapon. The enemy was totally defeated and had to withdraw. The man drove them away to the foot of the Soc Mountain (Sóc Sơn). The man and the horse then flew up to the sky and disappered. The King conferred the title of “Phù Đổng Thiên Vương” meaning the heavenlysent general originated from Phù Đổng village and built a temple to commemorate his victory and to pay tribute for his contribution to the survival of the country. It was said that fire erupted from the horse mouth had made bamboo in Gia Binh district become shiny yellow called Tre Đằng Ngà (a very precious bamboo species) and the village that was burned in the battle called Cháy Village.
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16TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CAMP Trần Cao Vân, sinh năm 1866 tại làng Tư Phú, huyện Điện Bàn, tỉnh Quảng Nam, tên thật là Trần Công Thọ, khi hoạt động cách mạng lấy bí danh là Trần Cao Vân. Ông là một trong những người lãnh đạo cuộc khởi nghĩa tại miền Trung do Việt Nam Quang Phục (VNQP) hội chủ xướng. Trần Cao Vân rời bỏ gia đình tham gia hoạt động cách mạng năm 21 tuổi. Ông đã trải qua nhiều cảnh ngộ, từ một nho sĩ, đến đạo sĩ, rồi một nhà cách mạng. Trước khi gia nhập VNQP Hội, Trần Cao Vân đã hoạt động với nhóm của Võ Trứ, nhưng đại sự bất thành, ông bị giam 11 tháng tại Phú Yên. Sau đó lại tù 3 năm khổ sai tại Quảng Nam vì quan lại thân Tây cho ông cố ý dùng văn chương để khích động quần chúng. Khi hết hạn tù tại Quảng Nam lại xảy ra vụ dân chúng biểu tình chống xâu, thuế. Tòa án Nam triều tỉnh Quảng Nam lại kết án ông xúi giục “hô hào dân trí, cổ võ dân quyền” nên đầy ông ra Côn Đảo hết 6 năm. Tháng 8 năm 1915, Trần Cao Vân được VNQP Hội ủy nhiệm cùng đồng chí là Thái Phiên tiếp xúc với Vua Duy Tân để mời nhà vua tham gia cuộc khởi nghĩa. Trần Cao Vân và Thái Phiên giả làm người đi câu đến nơi vua Duy Tân đang câu cá bàn định kế hoạch khởi nghĩa. Ngày tổng khởi nghĩa được ấn định là ngày Ngọ, giờ Ngọ, tháng Ngọ (ngày 8 tháng 6, 1916), nhưng vì tình hình khẩn cấp, cuộc khởi nghĩa được cử sự sớm hơn 1 tháng. Điều này làm cho kế hoạch bị lỡ dở và âm mưu bị bại lộ. Cả vua Duy Tân và Thái Phiên đều bị bắt khi ra khỏi hoàng thành. Trần Cao Vân bị bắt sau đó tại huyện Phú Lộc, tỉnh Thừa Thiên. Ngày 17 tháng 5, 1916, Trần Cao Vân, Thái Phiên và mấy người lính hầu vua Duy Tân bị đưa ra xử chém tại An Hòa, phía tây bắc thành nội. Tran Cao Van, born in 1866 in Tu Phu village, Dien Ban district, Quang Nam province. His real name is Tran Cong Tho, and his nom-de-guerre is Tran Cao Van. He is one of the leaders of the Central Uprising organized by Vietnam Restoration Organization (VRO). Tran Cao Van left his family to join revolutionary movement when he was 21 years old, and experienced many difficult situations. He has been a student, a Taoist, then a revolutionary. Before joining VRO, Tran Cao Van joined Vo Tru’s group, but this group was crushed and he was put in jail for 11 months in Phu Yen province. After that he was put in jail again for 3 years because the French and their Vietnamese subordinates charged him with using literature to instigate insurgent. After this term, another incident in Quang Nam erupted where the people petitioned for lesser tax. The Vietnamese surrogates charged Tran Cao Van with advocacy for education and civil rights against the regime. For this he was sent to Con Dao island for 6 year. In August, 1915, VRO assigned Tran Cao Van and Thai Phien to contact King Duy Tan and asked him to join the uprising. The date was set on day Horse, hour Horse, and month Horse (8 June, 1916), but because of some emergency, the date was reset one month earlier. The secret, therefore, was leaked and the leaders were betrayed. Both King Duy Tan and Thai Phien were arrested when they left the Royal Palace. Tran Cao Van was arrested one moth later in Thua Thien. On 17 May, 1916, Tran Cao Van, Thai Phien, and a few personal assistants of King Duy Tan were beheaded at An Hoa, an area northwest of the citadel.
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